UK forces 'could lead Iraq withdrawal'

[ECH1969]

British forces could take the lead in a scaled reduction in coalition forces in Iraq as early as next year, a senior western diplomat indicated on Tuesday.

But any withdrawal of British forces would be closely co-ordinated with the US and the Iraqi government, the diplomat suggested.

However, the document's projection that both US and British troop strength could be cut by more than half by early 2006 was said by the western diplomat to be optimistic, but not unrealistic.

The diplomat suggested that the handover to local Iraqi forces could take place sooner in southern Iraq, where British troops now control a relatively quiet, predominantly Shia Arab zone, than in the north and west.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/fc8986e4-f2f9-11d9-843f-00000e2511c8.html

[Gloria]

1. Chalabi is there in the South, waiting and ready....

eom

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. This is about the 2006 midtern

I am happy we may see the boys come home, but make no mistake this is not policy, but politics

[BeyondGeography]

3. Correctomundo

And don't be surprised to see troop levels restored after the midterms in response to some "urgent" need.

[daleo]

4. Leading the withdrawal

What a great phrase.

[bemildred]

5. Sorta like advancing to the rear.

"Follow me, men!"