Britain to pull troops from Iraq Next May

[Imagevision]

British troops will start a major withdrawal from Iraq next May under detailed plans on military disengagement to be published next month, The Observer can reveal.

The document being drawn up by the British government and the US will be presented to the Iraqi parliament in October and will spark fresh controversy over how long British troops will stay in the country. Tony Blair hopes that, despite continuing and widespread violence in Iraq, the move will show that there is progress following the conflict of 2003.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,1577937,00.html

[Greeby]

1. And Blair has come out today and rubbished that idea

I mean, even if it took some time to actually do it, if he came out now and stated categorically "We're leaving". Most Iraqi's would probably stop shooting at them.

Remember what happened when Zapatero announced the Spanish troops were leaving? Even though Zapatero's government said it would take 6 weeks, Al-Sadr gave the order to his militia that the Spaniards were not to be touched.

[prof_youngblood]

2. Finally, the UK has the courage to stand up to the American presidency

I quite frakly surprised that Tony Blair followed our sorry escuse for a presidents lead as long as he did. I thought he was better then that.

I'm glad the Brits are finally standing up and doing the right thing.

Now, the timing of this announcment -- falling as it does on the first major worldwide protests since the last round -- gives me hope. Maybe, just maybe, the voices of the people who stand up and say "NO" are beginning to be heard.

[newyawker99]

3. Hi prof_youngblood!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: