Devildogg4ever
09-09-03, 02:40 AM
7.15AM BST, 9 Sep 2003
Pressure is mounting on the Government after it admitted there were not enough troops to cope with the security operation in Iraq.
More than a thousand extra British soldiers are now being sent in to boost the force and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said even more could follow.
The Conservatives described Britain's policy on Iraq as "a shambles" are planning to use a House of Commons debate to press ministers on whether they have a coherent plan for Iraq, their objectives for the country, and the nature of the military tasks facing coalition forces.
Tory frontbenchers are also seeking to establish how many more reinforcements might be required.
Shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin said: "Nothing the Government said altered the impression that the Government's policy in Iraq is a shambles.
"Instead of reducing our commitment they are forced to increase it. Instead of giving confidence that there is a coherent programme in Iraq, it looks like decisions are being made on the hoof."
Mr Hoon told MPs the existing 10,000-strong UK contingent based in the south of the country around Basra would be certain to need even further strengthening and said other units were being put on standby.
He gave no details of further deployments and said they would depend on the completion of a review of force strength undertaken by the military, to assess how many troops were needed both for security and to help rebuild the country.
The first wave of 1,000 reinforcements, to be deployed immediately, will come from the 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, based in Cyprus, and the UK's current spearhead unit, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets,
Mr Hoon said: "We anticipate additional tasks in the near future which will require military resources, in particular the provision of military support to critical infrastructure work.
"This work will deliver a more stable power supply, improve fuel availability and significantly improve the delivery of water services to all sectors of the population" in Britain's main area of operation."
http://www.itv.com/news/658967.html
Pressure is mounting on the Government after it admitted there were not enough troops to cope with the security operation in Iraq.
More than a thousand extra British soldiers are now being sent in to boost the force and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said even more could follow.
The Conservatives described Britain's policy on Iraq as "a shambles" are planning to use a House of Commons debate to press ministers on whether they have a coherent plan for Iraq, their objectives for the country, and the nature of the military tasks facing coalition forces.
Tory frontbenchers are also seeking to establish how many more reinforcements might be required.
Shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin said: "Nothing the Government said altered the impression that the Government's policy in Iraq is a shambles.
"Instead of reducing our commitment they are forced to increase it. Instead of giving confidence that there is a coherent programme in Iraq, it looks like decisions are being made on the hoof."
Mr Hoon told MPs the existing 10,000-strong UK contingent based in the south of the country around Basra would be certain to need even further strengthening and said other units were being put on standby.
He gave no details of further deployments and said they would depend on the completion of a review of force strength undertaken by the military, to assess how many troops were needed both for security and to help rebuild the country.
The first wave of 1,000 reinforcements, to be deployed immediately, will come from the 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, based in Cyprus, and the UK's current spearhead unit, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets,
Mr Hoon said: "We anticipate additional tasks in the near future which will require military resources, in particular the provision of military support to critical infrastructure work.
"This work will deliver a more stable power supply, improve fuel availability and significantly improve the delivery of water services to all sectors of the population" in Britain's main area of operation."
http://www.itv.com/news/658967.html