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MPs criticise Iraq troop plans |
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Monday, 03 December 2007 |
The Government must do more to explain the future role of UK forces in Iraq, according to a report published today by the House of Commons Defence Committee.
Important questions remain about the sustainability of a force of 2,500
and how they would be reinforced if the security situation
deteriorates, said the Committee.
The MPs said that, while the Government plans to reduce force levels in
Iraq from Spring next year, unless UK forces have a meaningful role and
are capable of doing more than just protecting themselves at their base
at Basra Air Station, then the entire UK presence in Iraq will be open
to question.
The Committee also said that building up the capacity of the Iraqi
Security Forces was fundamental to the long-term security of Iraq and
to the draw-down and eventual withdrawal of UK forces.
If Iraq is to become a stable country, the Iraqi Army and Police must
be properly equipped and trained. Although significant progress has
been made with the Iraqi Army, progress in training the Iraqi Police
has been "painfully slow".
Committee Chairman Rt Hon James Arbuthnot MP said:
"The Government’s plan to reduce the number of troops serving in Iraq
to 2,500 from the Spring of 2008 is, of course, welcome, not just to
Service families but to all of us who are concerned about the pressure
under which our Armed Forces are currently operating. But it is not
clear how the figure of 2,500 was arrived at and it is also not clear
what those remaining in Iraq will actually be doing.
"We cannot ask our Forces to remain in Iraq unless they have an
effective and clearly-defined role. A full withdrawal from Iraq will
only be possible if the Iraqis are trained and equipped to handle their
own security effectively. This work is not yet complete."
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