http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=933703
POL-UK-IRAQ-BECKETT UK Government "needs to reassess Iraq policy" -- Beckett LONDON, Dec 13 (KUNA) -- The British Government must consider whether a change of policy is needed in Iraq, Britains Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Wednesday. But she insisted there had been security improvements in areas of British-controlled Basra and cited the recent Iraq Study Group's warning that there was "no magic formula." Asked whether a new policy was required on Iraq, she told BBC domestic radio "I agree that we need to reassess whether change is needed. But can I remind you that the Iraq Study Group says there is no magic formula." Her comments came as it emerged that US President George W Bush has delayed an announcement on a possible change of policy in the light of the Iraq Study Group report, published last week. Beckett denied that Britain was waiting to take its lead from Washington, saying "No doubt there will be discussions in the American Government. There are and will be discussions in our Government and we will come to our own conclusions." British Prime Minister Tony Blair indicated yesterday that moves towards withdrawal would take place more quickly in Basra than US-controlled Baghdad, where much of the violence is concentrated. The Foreign Secretary stressed today the difference in circumstances between Baghdad and Basra. "The situation in Baghdad is unquestionably extremely difficult," she said, adding that the capital accounted for 80 percent of the violence. She went on "A lot of work is being undertaken in Basra with an enormous contribution from the British Army. There are many areas of Basra where, yes, things are better (than six months ago)." Beckett said the British Governments aim in Iraq was to ensure there was an administration which could manage security and was "in charge of events." But she conceded that there were some areas where the Iraqi Government was struggling to assert its authority. The Foreign Secretary called for an intensification in the process of reconciliation, but warned that the actions of Iraqs neighbours were having "catastrophic" consequences for the country. She insisted, however, that a strong, stable Iraq was "absolutely possible." Responding to predictions that Iraq could break up into three different parts, Beckett said "There is nothing in the present circumstances that says that has to be the outcome."(end) he. rk KUNA 131307 Dec 06NNNN +++ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
