UK on track for more Iraq troop cuts in 2009
Britain is on target to further reduce troops in Iraq next year as security in the southern oil hub of Basra steadily improves, the recently departed commander of British forces there said.
Stocks up on rate cut hopesMajor General Barney White-Spunner, who returned to London this week after six months commanding Britain's 4,100-strong force in Basra, said security was now so good that soldiers could stop and eat kebabs on the city's streets.
"The change in Basra is really very marked," White-Spunner told defence correspondents in an interview on Wednesday. "As Iraq gets better and better, it will allow for force reductions.
"Conditions now are looking as if the fundamental change of mission will be able to take place next year."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown told parliament last month a "fundamental change of mission" would happen early in 2009, with troop numbers continuing to fall, although he did not specify the size of any reduction or a timeline.
White-Spunner also would not be drawn on dates or numbers, but declared himself a "genuine optimist" about the situation.
"From a UK point of view, we're getting pretty close to achieving what we went there to do to be honest," he said.
Britain had planned to cut troops to 2,500 by the start of this year, but a resurgence of violence in Basra late last year meant plans had to be put on hold. The United States was also reluctant to see Britain withdraw too soon.
Since that backtrack, Brown has been more cautious about setting deadlines. He told parliament any further drawdown would be coordinated with the United States and British commanders.
Defence officials have hinted Britain could cut numbers to fewer than 1,000 troops in the first half of next year, although no decisions have yet been taken. The reduction would allow the military to focus on operations in Afghanistan, where 8,000 troops are based and face intense Taliban opposition.
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