Regards, Ivan
Posted on 06/18/2004 4:16:23 PM PDT by MadIvan
Key Points
Key quote "If we judge that further changes to the UK military contribution in Iraq would be appropriate to support this process, we will of course inform the House at the earliest opportunity. At present, however, no such decision has been made," - Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary.
Story in full THE Royal Marines are to return to Iraq, Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, announced yesterday.
More than 600 marines of 40 Commando will begin arriving next week, Mr Hoon said in a Commons written statement. They will replace the 1st Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers, whose tour of duty is due to end in mid-July. 40 Commando were involved in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Deployment plans came on a day when Iraq suffered the worst death toll from a single explosion since February.
A vehicle packed with artillery shells exploded close to a gate of a security compound near the Muthanna airport on the western side of the Tigris river. At least 35 people died and 145 were injured. Most of the dead and wounded were Iraqis queuing up to apply for jobs in the security forces.
Another car bomb exploded yesterday afternoon in a village near Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad, killing six Iraqi security force members and injuring four others.
The arrival of 40 Commando will see an overall increase in the number of British troops in the theatre by about 270, taking the total to 9,200.
Mr Hoon also announced plans for the mobilisation of a new wave of 750 reservists to support operations in Iraq.
The call-up is to coincide with the handover in October from the 1st Mechanised Brigade to 4th Armoured Brigade as the lead UK formation in Iraq as part of the regular pattern of force rotation.
The marines will be based in the British-controlled region of southern Iraq. Their role will be to support the Iraqi security forces following the handover of sovereignty to the new Iraqi government on June 30.
"If we judge that further changes to the UK military contribution in Iraq would be appropriate to support this process, we will of course inform the House at the earliest opportunity. At present, however, no such decision has been made," Mr Hoon said.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Kerry is a damfool. BUMP of appreciation and respect to our coalition allies.
Prairie
Well, the world's full of ungrateful people. Take France for instance...
In John Kerry's dictionary, "unilateral" means "Without French or German say-so."
As for the rest of us...you were with us at the first, we are with you to the last.
Kudos to our British allies for staying the course.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.