Brown, Obama on Future of British, US Forces in Iraq

The Iraqi PM indicated he would back a total withdrawal of US forces, Mr Obama said The majority of British troops deployed in Iraq will have left within 12 months, Prime Minister Gordon Brown intimated on July 22^nd.

While the British military presence in Iraq will remain at its current troop level (approximately 4,000) until the end of 2008, a "fundamental change of mission" will occur early next year.

Sources in both the political and defence spheres have quantified the number of British troops to be left in the country as a "few hundred" by summer 2009.

British Relations with Iraq

The news emerged following an address to Parliament by Mr Brown, in which he highlighted how the mission in Iraq would alter "as we make the transition to a long-term bilateral partnership with Iraq, similar to the normal relationships which our military forces have with other important countries in the region."

Such a comment - welcomed by MPs across the political spectrum - signalled a hope for British relations with Iraq to take on a form similar to those it has with countries such as Jordan and Kuwait.

US Forces Withdrawal

Mr Brown's comments followed a statement made by Barack Obama, who - while in Iraq - spoke of how the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, indicated that he would back a total withdrawal of US forces over the coming two years.

In contrast to US Presidential candidate Mr Obama - whose aim is to complete a full US troop pull-out 16 months after becoming President - Mr Brown is adamant that artificial withdrawal scheduling should not take place, as is the head of US forces in Iraq, General Patraeus.

However, as far as some are concerned, Obama's support of a rapid exit of US forces has actually acted to accelerate momentum, giving the British Prime Minister cause for the optimism conveyed in yesterday's speech.

"Just as last year we moved from combat to overwatch, we would expect a further fundamental change of mission in the first months of 2009", he told Parliament.

Troop levels, he added, would "continue to reduce" in line with progress accomplished.

Conditions in Basra

On the subject of Basra, Mr Brown highlighted the presence of improved conditions. On average, he said, British troops had been coming under indirect attack on less than five occasions/ month since April.

He conceded that the slimming down of British forces in Iraq had not happened as quickly as anticipated, stating that a withdrawals "pause" has taken place to permit soldiers to participate in Mr al-Maliki's offensive against Shia militias in Basra earlier this year.

Iraqi Tutoring/ Mentoring

The role of the 4,000+ British troop force left in the country was now, he explained, to tutor and mentor members of the Iraqi Army's 14^th Division.

While applauding the "incredible job" performed by British soldiers in Iraq, Conservative Party leader David Cameron yesterday asserted that he would judge Mr Brown not on his words, but on his actions.

Obama, Patraeus

Barack Obama conceded on July 22^nd that his view on the scheduling of US troop withdrawals from Iraq contrasted with that of General Patraeus and, if he came to power, he would not be obliged to act on the general's recommendations.

"There is no doubt General Patraeus does not want a timetable", Obama advised the press.

"He wants to retain as much flexibility as possible. If I were in his shoes, I'd probably feel the same way.

"But my job as a potential commander-in-chief extends beyond Iraq."

Source - Armed Forces International's Political Correspondent

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