By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 10, 2007 - Basra, the second-largest city in Iraq, will be turned over to Iraqi provincial control in the next two weeks, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced yesterday during a visit to Iraq. The city will be the largest population turned over to the Iraqis and will complete the turnover to the Iraqis of the southern provinces of the country.
Brown told British soldiers gathered at Basra International Airport that he had spoken with Iraqi Prime Minster Nouri al-Maliki by phone. "He asked me to pass on his thanks to you for what you have done to help rebuild the democracy of Iraq," Brown said. "And it is because of all the operations that we have done over these last few months, indeed over these last few years, and particularly in recent times, that the security situation has not only improved, but he was able to tell me that he is now recommending that we move to provincial Iraqi control within two weeks so that the Iraqis can take far more responsibility for the security of the country."
British and Australian forces have trained 30,000 members of the Iraqi security forces in the region. "So, as a result of that, we can move to provincial Iraqi control over the next few weeks," he said.
"The reason why security is so much better here, the reason why things have improved, the reason why there is progress is because of you, because of what you have achieved, what you have done," he said. "And I want to thank all your leadership, and I want to thank every single one of you for what is being done."
British forces will assume overwatch position in the area, British defense officials said. About 4,700 British servicemembers are in Iraq now. These forces will move to the airport and be on call if needed by Iraqi security forces. British forces will continue to train Iraqi forces and will continue to monitor their progress, but all operations will be under Iraqi command, officials said.
Brown told the soldiers that the world admires their professionalism, courage and dedication. "We have managed now to get Iraq into a far better position, not that violence has ended, not that there is no security problem, not that it is safe in all the different areas in which you operate, but we are able to move to provincial Iraqi control, and that is thanks to everything that you have achieved," he said.
Showing posts with label british. Show all posts
Showing posts with label british. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
U.S., U.K. Defense Counterparts Discuss Iraq, Afghanistan
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - The United Kingdom is a close ally of the United States that has made major contributions to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. "This is our fifth meeting this year, which is a sign of the close cooperation we have on security matters," Gates told American and British reporters during a brief news conference with British Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Browne following a meeting at Lancaster House, a prestigious meeting venue managed by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Gates said his talks with Browne primarily focused on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The United Kingdom has been and continues to be a stalwart ally and major contributor to every stage of the Iraq campaign," he said. "The reduction of British forces in Basra (Iraq) is based on the assessment of the readiness of the Iraqi security forces in the area."
He added that the decision was closely coordinated with Multinational Force Iraq Commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and other officials in the command. The secretary noted that Petraeus will do another report on the security situation in Iraq on March.
Gates said his talks with Browne on Afghanistan previewed many issues that will be discussed in two weeks at a NATO ministerial conference. "We reviewed the status of the (International Security Assistance Force) operation and focused on the situation in parts of the south.
"The United Kingdom is making a substantial contribution in Afghanistan -- some 6,000 troops, the second-largest contingent," Gates said. "British forces are working closely with the Afghan army, taking the fight directly to the enemy, making a difference to the people of Afghanistan and also playing an important role in civic development."
Responding to a question about a report that the U.S. Marine Corps commandant is proposing U.S. Marines pull out of Iraq to bolster the force in Afghanistan, Gates said he "had heard that they were beginning to think about that, and that's all I heard."
"I've seen no plan," Gates said. "No one has come to me with any proposals about it. My understanding is that, at this point, it's extremely preliminary thinking on the part of perhaps the staff people in the Marine Corps. But I don't think at this point it has any standing."
Asked about lingering resentment over Turkey's World War I-era mass murder of Armenians, Gates said he is "quite concerned." The issue has come to the forefront because the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday passed a nonbinding resolution that characterized the mass killings of Armenians, which began in 1915, as genocide. Turkey has threatened to cut off its support of coalition operations in Iraq over the resolution, and White House officials urged House members to kill the measure.
"This is a very sensitive subject for a close ally, an ally that is incredibly important to the United States in terms of our operations in Iraq." he noted.
Seventy percent of America's air cargo goes through Turkey, along with 30 percent of the fuel. Ninety-five percent of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected heavy vehicles being flown into Iraq go through Turkey, as well, he said.
The issue has enormous implications for American soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines in Iraq and must be taken seriously, Gates concluded.
Browne told the press that he welcomed his American counterpart, noting that they speak regularly on the phone, but it's always good to meet face to face.
"The United Kingdom and the United States have common defense goals," Browne said. "Iraq and Afghanistan are the obvious ones," he said, but the two nations also cooperate on technology, meeting modern challenges and setting priorities.
"We've made significant progress in southeast Iraq," Browne said.
This has led British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to approve a plan to drawdown the number of British troops there to 2,500 by the end of the year. The U.S. and the U.K. have the same aspiration for Iraq, and that ultimately is to see Iraqi forces take over responsibility for their own security. The progress of U.S. forces in Anbar province has set the example, Browne added.
Afghanistan is a long-term commitment for both the United States and the United Kingdom, Browne said. It's in both nations' interest to help create a stable and secure environment there. Keys to that success and long-term progress are defeating the Taliban and ensuring reconstruction has an impact.
"Ultimately, politics is the answer," Browne said. Afghanistan must develop the government to deal with culture and with their issues. Our job is to give them the space to do that."
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 11, 2007 - The United Kingdom is a close ally of the United States that has made major contributions to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. "This is our fifth meeting this year, which is a sign of the close cooperation we have on security matters," Gates told American and British reporters during a brief news conference with British Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Browne following a meeting at Lancaster House, a prestigious meeting venue managed by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Gates said his talks with Browne primarily focused on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The United Kingdom has been and continues to be a stalwart ally and major contributor to every stage of the Iraq campaign," he said. "The reduction of British forces in Basra (Iraq) is based on the assessment of the readiness of the Iraqi security forces in the area."
He added that the decision was closely coordinated with Multinational Force Iraq Commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and other officials in the command. The secretary noted that Petraeus will do another report on the security situation in Iraq on March.
Gates said his talks with Browne on Afghanistan previewed many issues that will be discussed in two weeks at a NATO ministerial conference. "We reviewed the status of the (International Security Assistance Force) operation and focused on the situation in parts of the south.
"The United Kingdom is making a substantial contribution in Afghanistan -- some 6,000 troops, the second-largest contingent," Gates said. "British forces are working closely with the Afghan army, taking the fight directly to the enemy, making a difference to the people of Afghanistan and also playing an important role in civic development."
Responding to a question about a report that the U.S. Marine Corps commandant is proposing U.S. Marines pull out of Iraq to bolster the force in Afghanistan, Gates said he "had heard that they were beginning to think about that, and that's all I heard."
"I've seen no plan," Gates said. "No one has come to me with any proposals about it. My understanding is that, at this point, it's extremely preliminary thinking on the part of perhaps the staff people in the Marine Corps. But I don't think at this point it has any standing."
Asked about lingering resentment over Turkey's World War I-era mass murder of Armenians, Gates said he is "quite concerned." The issue has come to the forefront because the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday passed a nonbinding resolution that characterized the mass killings of Armenians, which began in 1915, as genocide. Turkey has threatened to cut off its support of coalition operations in Iraq over the resolution, and White House officials urged House members to kill the measure.
"This is a very sensitive subject for a close ally, an ally that is incredibly important to the United States in terms of our operations in Iraq." he noted.
Seventy percent of America's air cargo goes through Turkey, along with 30 percent of the fuel. Ninety-five percent of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected heavy vehicles being flown into Iraq go through Turkey, as well, he said.
The issue has enormous implications for American soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines in Iraq and must be taken seriously, Gates concluded.
Browne told the press that he welcomed his American counterpart, noting that they speak regularly on the phone, but it's always good to meet face to face.
"The United Kingdom and the United States have common defense goals," Browne said. "Iraq and Afghanistan are the obvious ones," he said, but the two nations also cooperate on technology, meeting modern challenges and setting priorities.
"We've made significant progress in southeast Iraq," Browne said.
This has led British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to approve a plan to drawdown the number of British troops there to 2,500 by the end of the year. The U.S. and the U.K. have the same aspiration for Iraq, and that ultimately is to see Iraqi forces take over responsibility for their own security. The progress of U.S. forces in Anbar province has set the example, Browne added.
Afghanistan is a long-term commitment for both the United States and the United Kingdom, Browne said. It's in both nations' interest to help create a stable and secure environment there. Keys to that success and long-term progress are defeating the Taliban and ensuring reconstruction has an impact.
"Ultimately, politics is the answer," Browne said. Afghanistan must develop the government to deal with culture and with their issues. Our job is to give them the space to do that."
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
British Drawdown Thoroughly Discussed with U.S. Commanders in Iraq
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 9, 2007 - The British government's decision to cut its forces in Iraq by half in the coming months has been thoroughly discussed with Multinational Force Iraq commanders and U.S. officials, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said here today. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Parliament on Oct. 8 that he would remove half of the 5,000-man British contribution in Iraq in the spring. British forces will continue to train and work with Iraqi security forces, Brown said.
The British troops are based in southern Iraq around Basra, the third-largest city in Iraq after Baghdad and Mosul. Britain has been the second-largest contributor of troops to Operation Iraqi Freedom. British troops helped spearhead the invasion in March 2003 and have commanded Multinational Division Southeast ever since.
"The United Kingdom has been a valuable partner in Iraq, contributing troops, diplomacy, finances and law enforcement expertise," Whitman said. "The prime minister's announcement of their projected drawdown is something that is well-coordinated with the Multinational Force in Iraq.
"With respect to whether or not any further adjustments need to be made on the ground will depend of whether the Iraqis can pick up the security mission in and around Basra. These are all tactical decisions that the Multinational Force and Multinational Corps commanders will make," Whitman said.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said he doesn't expect the transition of British troops to necessitate backfill by U.S. troops.
"I don't think that's the direction that (Multinational Force Iraq commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus) is going in," Morrell said.
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 9, 2007 - The British government's decision to cut its forces in Iraq by half in the coming months has been thoroughly discussed with Multinational Force Iraq commanders and U.S. officials, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said here today. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Parliament on Oct. 8 that he would remove half of the 5,000-man British contribution in Iraq in the spring. British forces will continue to train and work with Iraqi security forces, Brown said.
The British troops are based in southern Iraq around Basra, the third-largest city in Iraq after Baghdad and Mosul. Britain has been the second-largest contributor of troops to Operation Iraqi Freedom. British troops helped spearhead the invasion in March 2003 and have commanded Multinational Division Southeast ever since.
"The United Kingdom has been a valuable partner in Iraq, contributing troops, diplomacy, finances and law enforcement expertise," Whitman said. "The prime minister's announcement of their projected drawdown is something that is well-coordinated with the Multinational Force in Iraq.
"With respect to whether or not any further adjustments need to be made on the ground will depend of whether the Iraqis can pick up the security mission in and around Basra. These are all tactical decisions that the Multinational Force and Multinational Corps commanders will make," Whitman said.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said he doesn't expect the transition of British troops to necessitate backfill by U.S. troops.
"I don't think that's the direction that (Multinational Force Iraq commander Army Gen. David H. Petraeus) is going in," Morrell said.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Iranian Navy Seizes 15 British Sailors
American Forces Press Service
March 23, 2007 – The British government is demanding the immediate and safe release of 15 sailors whose boats were surrounded by Iranian navy vessels and escorted into Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf this morning. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials said the Royal Navy sailors were engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 and the government of Iraq.
The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded, officials said.
The Iranian ambassador was summoned to the British Foreign Office, and the British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of their people and equipment, officials said.
Royal Navy forces operate as part of Combined Task Force 158. CTF 158's mission is to maintain security and stability in Iraqi territorial waters and to protect the Iraqi oil terminals, under the U.N. mandate set out in the Security Council's resolutions on Iraq.
CTF 158 is commanded by Royal Navy Commodore Nick Lambert and operates as one of three coalition task forces in the Combined Maritime Forces under the leadership of U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet.
(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release.)
This article was sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have authored books.
March 23, 2007 – The British government is demanding the immediate and safe release of 15 sailors whose boats were surrounded by Iranian navy vessels and escorted into Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf this morning. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials said the Royal Navy sailors were engaged in routine boarding operations of merchant shipping in Iraqi territorial waters in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 and the government of Iraq.
The boarding party had completed a successful inspection of a merchant ship when they and their two boats were surrounded, officials said.
The Iranian ambassador was summoned to the British Foreign Office, and the British government is demanding the immediate and safe return of their people and equipment, officials said.
Royal Navy forces operate as part of Combined Task Force 158. CTF 158's mission is to maintain security and stability in Iraqi territorial waters and to protect the Iraqi oil terminals, under the U.N. mandate set out in the Security Council's resolutions on Iraq.
CTF 158 is commanded by Royal Navy Commodore Nick Lambert and operates as one of three coalition task forces in the Combined Maritime Forces under the leadership of U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet.
(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command news release.)
This article was sponsored by criminal justice online and military and police personnel who have authored books.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Britain to Send 1,400 More Troops to Afghanistan
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 27, 2007 – Great Britain will deploy an additional 1,400 troops to Afghanistan this summer, British Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Browne told the country's Parliament yesterday. Most of the troops will be based in Helmand province, bringing Britain's force in Afghanistan to about 7,700, he said.
Browne said the additional troops are needed to continue progress already made, and he expressed disappointment that other NATO countries haven't stepped forward to provide sufficient forces, particularly in light of an anticipated Taliban offensive this spring.
"I have lobbied our partners consistently for more help in those regions, and I will continue to do so," he said. "But it is increasingly clear that at present, when it comes to the most demanding tasks in the more challenging parts of Afghanistan, only we and a small number of key allies are prepared to set forward. That is why we have decided to commit additional forces to Afghanistan.
"It is undoubtedly correct to say that if we were able to do more as an alliance, especially in the south and east of Afghanistan, we would have more effect," he said.
The defense secretary outlined British efforts in Afghanistan, including a U.K.-led provincial reconstruction team in Helmand that is implementing projects "aimed at improving the lines of ordinary Afghans."
These include digging wells, distributing food, providing a generator to a hospital in Lashkar Gah, repairing schools, building classrooms and a midwifery hospital, reinforcing river banks and flood defenses, and refurbishing tractor plows to encourage legitimate agriculture.
"There is no question but that the reconstruction work, when completed, will make a significant and life-changing difference to more than 1.8 million people in Helmand province and throughout the south of Afghanistan," he said. "The reason for that is that the development will not only generate electricity for people and communities who have never had it before, but add substantially to the agriculture potential of the Helmand River Valley by doubling the area that can be tilled."
Browne's announcement regarding Afghanistan comes less than a week after British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that 1,600 British troops will withdraw from Iraq in the coming months.
Blair said British forces will begin leaving Iraq, particularly Basra, where Iraqi security forces have taken primary responsibility for operations. He emphasized that the United Kingdom's combat capability in Iraq won't be diminished and that the remaining British forces will focus on training Iraqi forces and securing the Iranian border and supply routes.
Criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books sponsored this article.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 27, 2007 – Great Britain will deploy an additional 1,400 troops to Afghanistan this summer, British Secretary of State for Defense Desmond Browne told the country's Parliament yesterday. Most of the troops will be based in Helmand province, bringing Britain's force in Afghanistan to about 7,700, he said.
Browne said the additional troops are needed to continue progress already made, and he expressed disappointment that other NATO countries haven't stepped forward to provide sufficient forces, particularly in light of an anticipated Taliban offensive this spring.
"I have lobbied our partners consistently for more help in those regions, and I will continue to do so," he said. "But it is increasingly clear that at present, when it comes to the most demanding tasks in the more challenging parts of Afghanistan, only we and a small number of key allies are prepared to set forward. That is why we have decided to commit additional forces to Afghanistan.
"It is undoubtedly correct to say that if we were able to do more as an alliance, especially in the south and east of Afghanistan, we would have more effect," he said.
The defense secretary outlined British efforts in Afghanistan, including a U.K.-led provincial reconstruction team in Helmand that is implementing projects "aimed at improving the lines of ordinary Afghans."
These include digging wells, distributing food, providing a generator to a hospital in Lashkar Gah, repairing schools, building classrooms and a midwifery hospital, reinforcing river banks and flood defenses, and refurbishing tractor plows to encourage legitimate agriculture.
"There is no question but that the reconstruction work, when completed, will make a significant and life-changing difference to more than 1.8 million people in Helmand province and throughout the south of Afghanistan," he said. "The reason for that is that the development will not only generate electricity for people and communities who have never had it before, but add substantially to the agriculture potential of the Helmand River Valley by doubling the area that can be tilled."
Browne's announcement regarding Afghanistan comes less than a week after British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that 1,600 British troops will withdraw from Iraq in the coming months.
Blair said British forces will begin leaving Iraq, particularly Basra, where Iraqi security forces have taken primary responsibility for operations. He emphasized that the United Kingdom's combat capability in Iraq won't be diminished and that the remaining British forces will focus on training Iraqi forces and securing the Iranian border and supply routes.
Criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have authored books sponsored this article.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Blair Announces British Reduction of Forces in Iraq
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 21, 2007 – British forces will begin to withdraw from Iraq, particularly in the southern city of Basra, where Iraqi security forces have taken primary responsibility for operations, British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced today. In an address to the House of Commons, Blair said that 1,600 British troops will come out of Iraq "in the coming months," as Iraqi security forces take on more responsibility.
The United Kingdom's combat capability in Iraq will not be diminished, he said, and the remaining British forces will focus on training Iraqi forces and securing the Iranian border and supply routes.
Over time and depending on the progress of Iraqi security forces, Britain will be able to draw down further, possibly to below 5,000 troops once the base at Basra Palace has been transferred to the Iraqis in late summer, Blair said.
"The U.K. military presence will continue into 2008, for as long as we are wanted and have a job to do," he said. "Increasingly our role will be support and training, and our numbers will be able to reduce accordingly."
At the Pentagon, Bryan Whitman, a Defense Department spokesman, said Blair's announcement was expected, and that the decrease in British troops has been planned for some months.
"You know, Basra is not Baghdad, and in Basra, the British have turned over a lot of responsibilities for the region to Iraqi security forces," Whitman said. "Even with their planned drawdown, they will still have a significant presence that will be doing a number of things."
Whitman noted that many countries still support the coalition efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, whether through providing troops or financial, diplomatic or legal support. It is up to each country to decide what their participation will be, he stressed.
"I think that the world's democracies understand the importance of continuing to take the fight to the terrorists, and we see that in the participation of many nations in both Afghanistan and Iraq," Whitman said.
In an interview today with Jonathan Karl of ABC News, Vice President Dick Cheney said Britain's decision to withdraw forces is proof that operations are succeeding in some areas of Iraq.
"I look at it, and what I see is an affirmation of the fact that there are parts of Iraq where things are going pretty well," Cheney said. "The focus that we've had, obviously, is Baghdad and the decision the president made to surge troops into Baghdad."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.
American Forces Press Service
Feb. 21, 2007 – British forces will begin to withdraw from Iraq, particularly in the southern city of Basra, where Iraqi security forces have taken primary responsibility for operations, British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced today. In an address to the House of Commons, Blair said that 1,600 British troops will come out of Iraq "in the coming months," as Iraqi security forces take on more responsibility.
The United Kingdom's combat capability in Iraq will not be diminished, he said, and the remaining British forces will focus on training Iraqi forces and securing the Iranian border and supply routes.
Over time and depending on the progress of Iraqi security forces, Britain will be able to draw down further, possibly to below 5,000 troops once the base at Basra Palace has been transferred to the Iraqis in late summer, Blair said.
"The U.K. military presence will continue into 2008, for as long as we are wanted and have a job to do," he said. "Increasingly our role will be support and training, and our numbers will be able to reduce accordingly."
At the Pentagon, Bryan Whitman, a Defense Department spokesman, said Blair's announcement was expected, and that the decrease in British troops has been planned for some months.
"You know, Basra is not Baghdad, and in Basra, the British have turned over a lot of responsibilities for the region to Iraqi security forces," Whitman said. "Even with their planned drawdown, they will still have a significant presence that will be doing a number of things."
Whitman noted that many countries still support the coalition efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, whether through providing troops or financial, diplomatic or legal support. It is up to each country to decide what their participation will be, he stressed.
"I think that the world's democracies understand the importance of continuing to take the fight to the terrorists, and we see that in the participation of many nations in both Afghanistan and Iraq," Whitman said.
In an interview today with Jonathan Karl of ABC News, Vice President Dick Cheney said Britain's decision to withdraw forces is proof that operations are succeeding in some areas of Iraq.
"I look at it, and what I see is an affirmation of the fact that there are parts of Iraq where things are going pretty well," Cheney said. "The focus that we've had, obviously, is Baghdad and the decision the president made to surge troops into Baghdad."
Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership; and, police and military personnel who have become writers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
