Monday, September 19, 2005
British RhetIraq: Defense Minister
Who: John Reid (British Defence Minister)
Source: Reuters
Quotes:
Britain said on Sunday it would if necessary increase the number of troops in Iraq as fears mount that the country is sliding towards civil war.
Britain, the main ally of the United States in Iraq, has about 8,500 soldiers deployed there and has frequently said its soldiers will stay until the Iraqi government asks them to leave.
"We don't need them (more troops) at the moment, if that's necessary, of course we would do that," British Defence Minister John Reid told ITV's Jonathan Dimbleby's show.
"There's no quitting and running, we're there until the job is done.
"Our troops will be there until such times as the conditions are met, those conditions being the Iraqis themselves having such democratic control and such security forces as they can take the lead," said Reid.
A government document leaked to a newspaper in July suggested London hoped to cut its forces in Iraq to 3,000 by the middle of next year.
Source: Reuters
Quotes:
Britain said on Sunday it would if necessary increase the number of troops in Iraq as fears mount that the country is sliding towards civil war.
Britain, the main ally of the United States in Iraq, has about 8,500 soldiers deployed there and has frequently said its soldiers will stay until the Iraqi government asks them to leave.
"We don't need them (more troops) at the moment, if that's necessary, of course we would do that," British Defence Minister John Reid told ITV's Jonathan Dimbleby's show.
"There's no quitting and running, we're there until the job is done.
"Our troops will be there until such times as the conditions are met, those conditions being the Iraqis themselves having such democratic control and such security forces as they can take the lead," said Reid.
A government document leaked to a newspaper in July suggested London hoped to cut its forces in Iraq to 3,000 by the middle of next year.
