UK 'has duty to redeploy troops to fill in behind US troops.

America asked on October 10, for British soldiers to fill in behind forces north of Basra.

If granted the US troops will then move to Iraq's most volatile areas, such as Falluja.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3751794.stm

Politically, it would be a very foolish move for the Government to comply with the US request. Strategically, and in my view more importantly, if there is a genuine need for British troops to move further inland and sort this almighty mess out, then so be it. Like the majority I am deeply unhappy about the Iraq situation, but unfortunately the time for UN intervention and diplomacy has long gone; it is an unenviable task the Government has made for us, but having started, we cannot just sit back and give excuses for not doing everything in our power to help.
I wonder how people will see us in 40 years time will be known as invaders 🙁 .

Once again Tony Bliar does exactly as Bush tells him.

What babble is that? "Once again Tony Bliar does exactly as Bush tells him." As if that monstrously ignorant cliche has ever been true anyway, how could you possibly apply it to this example? First of all, it is neither Bush's request nor Blair's choice, in any practical sense. Second, if it was such a 'Yes sir!" operation, why all this darn debate about it? Clearly there is more to the issue than x just doing what y says.

But thirdly, and most importantly, the US and the UK are allies! What part of that are people having trouble understanding? Allies are like friends; when your friend needs some help, you go and help him! You don't just stand by and say 'not my problem.'

This whole request is simply an extension of the UK role in the first place. We are patrolling Basra to spare the US the manpower of doing it themselves so they can concentrate elsewhere. Now there is a crisis in Falluja and the US are asking- not demanding, btw, but requesting- that we now extend that to other areas as well to relieve other US troops who can then concentrate on dealing with that crisis. Ok, that would put us in a part under US control and so taking orders from American officers. But so what? Once again, we are allies; that is part of the deal.

On the face of it, if we say no, that makes us pretty shitty allies. As it is, if we say no, it will be for one reason only- operational practicality. Which is to say, we don't think we can spare the men. That would be a fair reason; any political reason would be reprehensibly cowardly and the betrayal of a fairly pledged alliance.

Originally posted by ash007
America asked on October 10, for British soldiers to fill in behind forces north of Basra.

If granted the US troops will then move to Iraq's most volatile areas, such as Falluja.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3751794.stm

I wonder how people will see us in 40 years time will be known as invaders 🙁 .

Most likely in the next 40 years some of the ppl will see them as invaders. But at the same time they maybe more interested in their stocks and in their investsments which currently they don't have that option. I tend to think that in the future Iraq will become more and more open to the world. Unfortunally it will take time.....but things will improve.

the United States has a duty to alleviate the poverty of the Third World by writing off debt... it had a duty to help fight for freedom in the forties without charging the UK the earth for the privilege... it has a duty to prevent malnutrition and obesity by bombing McDonalds....

Mc Donalds is a business and whether you agree with their menu or not...it helps bring business into the country. Which is what Iraq needs....more businesses so that it can compete with the rest of world market.

ah well,... that's what you get when you follow the leader leader leader 😉

bad news though for the british soldiers and obviously also their family of course 🙁

Ugh, when will people understand that this war is utter bullshit.

Originally posted by Ushgarak
What babble is that? "Once again Tony Bliar does exactly as Bush tells him." As if that monstrously ignorant cliche has ever been true anyway, how could you possibly apply it to this example? First of all, it is neither Bush's request nor Blair's choice, in any practical sense. Second, if it was such a 'Yes sir!" operation, why all this darn debate about it? Clearly there is more to the issue than x just doing what y says.

But thirdly, and most importantly, the US and the UK are allies! What part of that are people having trouble understanding? Allies are like friends; when your friend needs some help, you go and help him! You don't just stand by and say 'not my problem.'

This whole request is simply an extension of the UK role in the first place. We are patrolling Basra to spare the US the manpower of doing it themselves so they can concentrate elsewhere. Now there is a crisis in Falluja and the US are asking- not demanding, btw, but requesting- that we now extend that to other areas as well to relieve other US troops who can then concentrate on dealing with that crisis. Ok, that would put us in a part under US control and so taking orders from American officers. But so what? Once again, we are allies; that is part of the deal.

On the face of it, if we say no, that makes us pretty shitty allies. As it is, if we say no, it will be for one reason only- operational practicality. Which is to say, we don't think we can spare the men. That would be a fair reason; any political reason would be reprehensibly cowardly and the betrayal of a fairly pledged alliance.

He's right though......

This war is for oil, there are many other "bad" and "violent" dictators that oppress the people, but Bush wont go there, CUZ THEY DONT HAVE OIL!!!! 😄. Other than that, some of what Ush said I agree with, allies help eachother out, even when the whole situation is fueld by greed. Although, you gotta respect the fact that Bush and Blair are loking out for the financial security and best interests of their country.

Amity75 is right in a certain sense. I have family who live in England and there's a growing frustration that Tony Blair is just a puppet for George Bush. Oh God, I'm discussing politics. 😕

That also has some truth to it.

I'm just waiting for the draft to be enacted.

Originally posted by Whisper
Amity75 is right in a certain sense. I have family who live in England and there's a growing frustration that Tony Blair is just a puppet for George Bush. Oh God, I'm discussing politics. 😕

From ignorant people who would rather make use of a lazy insult rather than bother doing something daring like, say, checking facts.

Rather like thinking the war is for oil...

I agree with you on the allies part and on the part that ppl need to check the facts before making dumb comments ush, however on everything else you know I disagree with you 🙂

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
I'm just waiting for the draft to be enacted.

It won't, to do so would be political suicide.

then again Sil...it's bush 😉

Yeah, I know...but even so...it's not like we even need the draft to be re-enacted here in the US.

Originally posted by Ushgarak
From ignorant people who would rather make use of a lazy insult rather than bother doing something daring like, say, checking facts.

Rather like thinking the war is for oil...