British ambassador explains troop movement near Iraq-Iran border

[sabra]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/15376482.htm

British ambassador explains troop movement near Iraq-Iran border

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The new British ambassador to Iraq said on Sunday that British troops taking up position near Iraq's border with Iran aren't preparing for military action against Iran, but were getting to crack down on weapons smuggling between the two countries.

Ambassador Dominic Asquith was responding to concerns raised by some Iraqi political and religious leaders, who've suggested that the British troops may be doing U.S. bidding as tensions rise over Iran's nuclear development program.

The concerns come as British forces have faced escalating violence in the once-quiet southern area around the port city of Basra, Iraq's second largest city. Last week, the British turned a base over to the Iraqi army and dispatched half the troops formerly stationed there to positions closer to the Iranian border. The base was subsequently overrun by Iraqi looters, who stripped it bare.

Asquith said the movement was designed to block the flow of arms, bomb-making materials and other "outside influences" into Iraq, particularly during a tenuous time as it pursues a program of national reconciliation.

[daleo]

1. I wonder if he is related to old HH Asquith?

"Asquith did not understand, nor could he control, the Generals who insisted that all effort be made to break the German lines in France. This led to the disatrous campaign on the Somme in July 1916. In that battle which lasted until November Britain had over 500,000 casualties, without appreciable gains in ground. The nation was appalled. Members of the Unionist party, as well as members of his own party, blamed Asquith."

http://www.worldwar1.com/bioeasq.htm

Replace the term Germany with Iran, and there you go.

[IndianaGreen]

2. British troops sandwiched between the Shias of Iraq and the Shias of Iran

Who is the military genius that put these troops in such an obvious trap?

[bemildred]

3. I know!

Let's isolate them in small groups in hostile terrain with poor logistics support!
Can I be a military "planner" now too? I've read everything General Custer ever wrote.

[MadMaddie]

4. Geeze...the Iranians have limitless boots to put on the ground

the Brits and anyone else that goes their will be over run....supply lines will be cut and we have a tradgedy in the making this whole thing continues to spiral downward....

[dipsydoodle]

6. There's no mention of any intention

of the border being crossed by either the UK troops or the Iranians so I don't foresee any conflict between the two. If you've read otherwise then please direct me accordingly. They made it clear there will be no supply lines other than by air support - the guys will be fully mobile in stripped down 4WD Landrover Defenders. The sole intention seems to be to stop the influx of weapons and munitions from Iran - assuming there are in fact any.

[MadMaddie]

8. I think it's too little to late to stop the weapons...

they blew that when they didn't secure the weapons depot's around Iraq...the weapons are already there....sigh...

[LynnTheDem]

5. block "outside influences" into Iraq...

Fucking unreal that anyone US or UK could possibly say such a thing with a straight face. And yet they do. Constantly.

Shows how very firmly they believe the US & UK own Iraq.

[donkeyotay]

7. Exactly. B&B are the only ones allowed to meddle

I thought Basra was law and order central.

Last week, the British turned a base over to the Iraqi army and dispatched half the troops formerly stationed there to positions closer to the Iranian border. The base was subsequently overrun by Iraqi looters, who stripped it bare.