Why is Great Britain cutting and running from Iraq?

Question

http://www.enewsreference.com

Answer 1

They are not "Cutting and running".

If you read PM Blair's comments, you will see that he is handing over control of Basra to Iraqis fully. Total troop count will drop from 7100 to 5500, down from 90000 during major conflict. Britain is not quitting. They are no longer needed as much as before.

Basra was a major hotspot during major conflict.

Answer 2

Maybe because they've been successful in transitioning security in the area of Basra and don't need as many troops on site. For those of you not paying attention, that means they've achieved their purpose. Moreover, a reduction in troops is *not* an abrupt 'cut and run.' Over 5000 British troops remain and are expected to be there for at least another year or two. It has also been pointed out that things could change if Iraq does not continue to improve.

Strangely, nobody has bothered to report the recent *increase* in Australian deployment, except a smart *** comment by Senator Obama trying to take credit for bossing the PM around. It is noteworthy that only reductions in troops are ever reported, and always painted as 'abandoning' the US. This draw down of British troops is a sign of victory - admittedly partial, but victory nonetheless. It would be nice if someone were willing to allow US troops the same opportunity.

Answer 3

Great Britain has not cut and run. They merely have REDUCED the number of troops deployed. I should not be suprised by this. As many answerers on yahoo apparently never read the whole question, why should an asker wait to read the whole news story before asking a question.

I QUOTE from your own source...

"Prime Minister Blair announces 1,600 British troops will exit Iraq in coming months, stops short of announcing any clear exit strategy from war."

Get the story straight :-(

Answer 4

Read the news story that you provided you would the see we are not withdrawing. phew get a grip.

LONDON, Feb. 21 -- Prime Minister Tony Blair announced Wednesday that 1,600 British troops would return home from Iraq in the coming months and that a further 500 soldiers may be withdrawn by the end of summer.

Even though Britain has only 7,100 troops in Iraq, compared with the 135,000-strong U.S. contingent, they carry symbolic importance as the largest allied presence. British forces make up half of the roughly 14,000 non-U.S. troops in the coalition in Iraq.

Answer 5

Just announced Prince Harry is going over to Iraq as a tank commander. Why don't you get a pair of cohones and join him?

Answer 6

I don't know that the Brits have ever "cut and run" from a damned thing !!
Leaving a "no win" quicksand pit -- to anyone with good sense couldn't possibly be seen as "cutting and running" by anyone other than those with no good sense !!!
There IS and never HAS BEEN a WIN POINT in this war !! No "thing" that can be pointed to as THE place where anyone can say THAT'S IT--- we've won !!
The Brits are simply excercising good sense here to allow this thing to degrade into chaos without them holding to it as it decends into madness !!

Answer 7

There not running there doing exactly what they said they would, if the allies ask them to stay they probably would. The British are far from being cowards which your question sounds like your implying..

Answer 8

They have finally realized that the war was a big mistake. And they finally realized they were following a clown. Plus, this thing is about to get far more ugly than what it already is... they want no parts of what is coming.

Answer 9

cutting and running from what, this is not evan a real war it was started because of 911 and bush wanted somebody to hit because he couldn't find bin laden in Afghanistan. also there is a deal for American oil company's to drill for oil in Iraq bush = oilman more money for him and his gang.

Answer 10

They're Smart! We need to follow suit. Nobody wants this war to continue. Fox News Sucks!