Blair refuses to match US troop 'surge' in Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=427298&in_page_id=1770

Tony Blair will make clear this week that Britain is not going to send more troops to Iraq even if the US pushes ahead with a "surge" of 20,000 extra soldiers.

The Prime Minister will insist that the UK will stick to its own strategy of gradually handing over to the Iraqi army, as it has been doing with success in Basra and the south.

[humbled_opinion]

1. That is exactly the stand our Congress needs to take.

No one better our Congress needs to stand up and say not only are we not going to authorize money for more escalation of your war we are going to start defunding this illegal war and force you to bring home the troops.

As far as the idea of keeping the funds going for existing troops but not supporting an escalation sounds like stay the course to me.

[rodeodance]

14. many are only 'skeptical' --meaning bushies can twist their arms.

[SpiralHawk]

2. Blair to Bush: "You AWOL Skull & Boner SkilletHead. How dumb can you get?"

"This is your dumbest idea yet. You must be listening to your sidekick, Dick 'Five Deferments' Cheney."

- Your Former Poodle, Tony

[eleny]

3. So, the poodle finally crapped his lap

It's about time.

[Teacher in SC]

4. Blair's limits

Nice to know Blair has his limits. Should have thought through the whole relationship with Bush a long time ago. No time like the present to "wake up".

[cosmicone]

5. Welcome to DU n/t

[Teacher in SC]

9. Thanks, cosmicone!

It's very interesting around here. I'm still learning my way around.:hi:

[Vidar]

13. Better late than never. Welcome to DU.

[Hepburn]

18. Welcome to the DU!!

Nice to have you on board! :hi:

[goforit]

6. Oh come on Blair... Bush is your master.

[rodeodance]

15. growl.........

[fedsron2us]

7. Blair has no troops to send

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6111048.stm

[T_i_B]

17. Yep

What people need to realize here is that the British army is badly overstretched.

[VegasWolf]

8. Someone recognizes insanity when they see it. nt

[Moloch]

10. Blair refuses to match US troop 'surge' in Iraq

Tony Blair will make clear this week that Britain is not going to send more troops to Iraq even if the US pushes ahead with a "surge" of 20,000 extra soldiers.

The Prime Minister will insist that the UK will stick to its own strategy of gradually handing over to the Iraqi army, as it has been doing with success in Basra and the south.

President Bush will announce a new US policy for Iraq either tomorrow or Wednesday. There are currently 140,000 US troops in Iraq, compared to 7,000 British servicemen and women. Mr Blair, in a rare distancing from White House policy, has been keen for Britain to be seen to be acting under its own initiative.

Chancellor Gordon Brown said yesterday that as Prime Minister he would conduct a foreign policy based firmly on British interests.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=427298&in_page_id=1770

[illinoisprogressive]

11. I don't think Blair has the power or the will to continue this war

[babylonsister]

12. Coalition of the willing? Not so much, apparently. Who's in this

coalition anyway?

[plant]

16. About time

I'm still amazed that Tony Blair hasn't put on his spine long ago.

[JawJaw]

19. Spine? No, not really.

There's been a LOT of negative publicity in the UK press recently highlighting the atrocious condition of accomodation for Army families. Many are citing these conditions as a significant factor in their decision to leave the army.

Oh yes, the MOD has just spent 2.3 BILLION pounds on new luxurious London HQ, which will only aggravate the situation.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23380805-details/MoD+spends+%A32.3billion+on+new+offices+while+families+of+soldiers+live+in+'squalor'/article.do

Blair is all too aware that the camel's back is close to breaking, and that any suggestion of increased troop numbers could be the last straw...