Government stunned by Army chief's Iraq blast

http://www.dailymai l.co.uk/pages/ live/articles/ news/news. html?

 

A blistering assessment of British policy in Iraq from the country's top soldier left Tony Blair reeling today.

General Sir Richard Dantt said troops should come home within two years - flatly contradicting the Prime Minister's policy that the military will stay "as long as it takes".

This is NOT what Mr Blair is saying today. He says the Government is in total agreement!

But General Dannatt is calling for exactly what the troops want and that is immediate or very early withdrawal. With a worsening situation out there as each day goes by, the circumstances for withdrawal under the U.S. & U.K. hypothesis is unachievable and that is what the General is saying " that a lower ambition should be sought "

Mr Blair is being his usual contemptable self in coming with his dumb, stupid retoric to talk over the heads of the British people. Those that pull his strings think that they can continually talk " Bullshit " to the people. And that goes for America aswell with Bush!

I am so fed-up that so many just ignore whats going on around them. But listen here to logical thinking World. This military man is newly appointed. I find it very suspicious that he should come-out with such an alarming statement so soon. So you tell me what is being plotted behind closed doors, because I certainly think 'something' is!  GJ (UK)

Blair 'agrees' with UK Army chief

Tony Blair has said he agrees with "every word" the new head of the British Army said on the Iraq war.

                            http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/uk/6049126. stm

So how 'soon' is 'soon?'

                http://www.bbc. co.uk/blogs/ nickrobinson/ 2006/10/how_ soon_is_soo. html

In unprecedented comments he warned that the Army could 'break' if British soldiers are kept too long in Iraq.

"I want an Army in five years time and 10 years time. Don't let's break it on this one. Let's keep an eye on time," he said.

See also:
"¢ Sir Richard Dannatt: A very honest General
"¢ Soldiers unite in praise for top general
"¢ Video: Dannatt speaks out

Downing Street was aghast at the general's remarks, though in public it offered "full support".

His comments come after an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, where Sir Richard warned that the continuing presence of British troops "exacerbates the security problems" in Iraq and added that a "moral and spiritual vacuum" has opened up in British society, which is allowing Muslim extremists to undermine "our accepted way of life."

The Chief of the General Staff believes that Christian values are under threat in Britain and that continuing to fight in Iraq will only make the situation worse.

His views have sent shockwaves through Government.

They are a total repudiation of the Prime Minister, who has repeatedly insisted that British presence in Iraq is morally right and has had no effect on our domestic security.

Sir Richard, who took up his post earlier this year, warned that "our presence in Iraq exacerbates" the "difficulties we are facing around the world."

He lambasts Tony Blair's desire to forge a "liberal democracy" in Iraq as a "naive" failure and he warns that "whatever consent we may have had in the first place" from the Iraqi people "has largely turned to intolerance. "

In one of the most outspoken interviews ever given by a serving soldier, Sir Richard also reveals:

* He was "outraged" by reports of injured soldiers recouperating in hospital alongside civilians being confronted by anti-war campaigners who told them to remove their uniforms.

* He gave Defence Secretary Des Browne a dressing down about the "unaccepatble" treatment of injured soldiers, warning him that the government was in danger of breaking the "covenant" between a nation and its Army and should not "let the Army down."

* He understands why Prince William and Prince Harry want to serve on the frontline but has not yet decided whether they will be allowed to fight in Afghanistan.

But it is Sir Richard's views of the situation in Iraq that will enrage Downing Street.

He says clearly we shoud "get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems."

"We are in a Muslim country and Muslims' views of foreigners in their country are quite clear."

As a foreigner, you can be welcomed by being invited in a country, but we weren't invited certainly by those in Iraq at the time.

"The military campaign we fought in 2003 effectively kicked the door in. Whatever consent we may have had in the first place, may have turned to tolerance and has largely turned to intolerance. "

"That is a fact. I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing round the world are caused by our presence in Iraq but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them."

In comments that set him at loggerheads with Mr Blair, Gen Dannatt warns that the good intentions of 2003 have long since evaporated - pitching British troops into a lethal battle that few at home can understand.

"I think history will show that the planning for what happened after the initial successful war fighting phase was poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning," he said.

"The original intention was that we put in place a liberal democracy that was an exemplar for the region, was pro West and might have a beneficial effect on the balance within the Middle East."

"That was the hope, whether that was a sensible or naïve hope history will judge. I don't think we are going to do that. I think we should aim for a lower ambition."

The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted that British troops must stay until the Iraqi security forces are able to take charge - a forlorn hope as the country has slipped to the brink of civil war.

Sir Richard warned that the consequences will be felt at home, where failure to support Christian values is allowing a predatory Islamist vision to take hold.

He said: "When I see the Islamist threat in this country I hope it doesn't make undue progress because there is a moral and spiritual vacuum in this country."

"Our society has always been embedded in Christian values; once you have pulled the anchor up there is a danger that our society moves with the prevailing wind."

"There is an element of the moral compass spinning. I think it is up to society to realise that is the situation we are in."

"We can't wish the Islamist challenge to our society away and I believe that the army both in Iraq and Afghanistan and probably wherever we go next, is fighting the foreign dimension of the challenge to our accepted way of life."

"We need to face up to the Islamist threat, to those who act in the name of Islam and in a perverted way try to impose Islam by force on societies that do not wish it."

"It is said that we live in a post Christian society. I think that is a great shame. The broader Judaic-Christian tradition has underpinned British society. It underpins the British army."

General Dannatt says he has "more optimism" that "we can get it right in Afghanistan. "

But he condemned the treatment of injured British soldiers, who have been forced to share wards with civilians in Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham.

Sir Richard said he confronted Mr Browne about the "covenant" between a nation and its armed forces.

"I said to the Secretary of State the army wont let the nation down but I don't want the nation to let the army down."

"It is not acceptable for our casualties to be in mixed wards with civilians. I was outraged at the story of someone saying "˜take your uniform off'. Our people need the privacy of recovering in a military environment - a soldier manning a machine gun in Basra loses consciousness when he is hit by a missile and next recovers consciousness in a hospital in the UK."

"He wants to wake up to familiar sights and sounds, he wants to see people in uniform. He doesn't want to be in a civilian environment. "

He added: "I am going to stand up for what is right for the army. Honesty is what it is about. The truth will out. We have got to speak the truth."

Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "When I was in Iraq, soldiers told me the same thing."

"They said the reaction had gone from welcome, to consent to mere tolerance and they said that this meant we didn't have an indefinite licence to be there."

"To have one of our senior military figures speaking out on behalf of those under his commenad is a refreshing change."

"General Dannatt is completely right to say that it's a scandal ro have injured servicemen on mixed wards with civilians."

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman Michael Moore said: "This is the frankest assessment we have had about Iraq. It illustrates that the government has no clear strategy."

The party's defence spokesman Nick Harvey added: "This drives a coach and horses through the government's foreign policy."

Add your comment | View all Reader comments (75)

75 people have commented on this story so far. Tell us what you think below.

Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click view all to read all comments that readers have sent in.

General Sir Richard Dannatt is finally saying publicly what many have been thinking since the beginning of this debacle. From the time Saddam's statue toppled, the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq made one blunder after another. Many sent to sort out the post war reoganisation had no qualifications, other than allegiance to the Bush regime, and allowed the militias a foothold they might never have gained had there been any element of efficiency while Paul Bremer was viceroy. One has to question how long politicians on both sides of the Atlantic can continue lying to their respective citizens, particularly now that senior figures like Sir Richard have begun to speak out, and when those citizens will finally do something about it.

- Rj Adams, Illinois, USA

I am so pleased to read the comment by General Dannatt, I have long criticised senior military officers who sit back and allow politicians to use the armed services for their own glory.

But do I detect a tone that may be historic "covenant" between a nation and its armed forces.

I have to say that if we had a little tussle between the armed forces and a sitting government due to the treatment of the forces by the government are we not going back to my hero Oliver. But strange bed fellows we have and again a delight to read it a Prince who is virtually demanding the right to ride into battle.

- Peter Williams, Bonaire

The general has written his resignation speech - or has he?
Blair will have to respond by sacking him or acting on the general's views. Doing nothing is not an option. But of course, he is now a lame duck PM so he could resign.

- Don, Dunblane

The Daily Mail quoted General Sir Richard Dannatt as saying he thought UK troops "exacerbated" security problems and should withdraw "sometime soon".

Blair 'agrees' with UK army chief

Sir Richard took on his role in August Army chief on Iraq Tony Blair has said he agrees with "every word" the new head of the British Army said on the Iraq war. The Daily Mail quoted General Sir Richard Dannatt as saying he thought UK troops "exacerbated" security problems and should withdraw "sometime soon". Mr Blair said transcripts of later radio interviews showed Sir Richard was saying "the same as we all are". He said they wanted to exit Iraq "when the job is done", and to remove troops when no longer needed in certain areas. In the Daily Mail interview, Sir Richard, who took on his role in August, said UK troops should "get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems". And he said planning for what happened after the initial military offensive was "poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning". He later told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that when he talked about pulling out of Iraq "sometime soon", he meant "when the mission is substantially done, we should leave". And he said the view that the presence of UK troops exacerbates the problems was "not right across the country", but in parts of it. The intention was "particularly to speak up for what is right for the Army," he said. "That is my job. That is my constituency" . BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Sir Richard's remarks were little different from what other officers had been saying in private. I've said the same myself Tony Blair Sir Richard's quotes But the comments had given added urgency to finding an early and effective exit strategy, our correspondent said. In Basra, Maj Gen Ali Hammadi, the Iraqi security co-ordinator, has told BBC's Newsnight that if the British stopped arrest operations in the city, the level of violence there would drop by 80%. 'Proper context' Speaking in St Andrews at the end of talks on Northern Ireland, the prime minister said the reason the government had been able to so far give up two provinces to Iraqi control was "precisely because the job has been done there". He refused to be drawn on whether he agreed with quotes from Sir Richard published in the Daily Mail, saying only that later TV and radio interviews given by the general were more in context. Tony Blair says he agrees with Sir Richard Dannatt's comments On the transcripts of those interviews Mr Blair said: "I agree with every word of it." "He sets in proper context what he is actually saying. What he is saying about wanting the British forces out of Iraq is precisely the same as we're all saying. Our strategy is to withdraw from Iraq when the job is done." Mr Blair said when Sir Richard talked about the troops' presence exacerbating problems in Iraq, he thought he was "absolutely right". "I've said the same myself, in circumstances where the Iraqis are ready to take over control of areas and we're still there." In places like Basra, the presence of British troops was still "absolutely necessary", he said. Mr Blair told the press conference he had received a "report" about the Daily Mail article on Thursday night, and Sir Richard was "plainly not" saying that troops should be withdrawn from Iraq now. Iraqi response A spokesman for the Iraqi president said the departure of multi-national troops now "would be a disaster". Iraq's ambassador to Britain, Dr Salah al-Shaikhly, said British soldiers were close to completing their mission. "You've done marvellous in terms of the development, you've done marvellously in terms of keeping the security," he said. White House spokesman Tony Snow said the United States had sought clarification on Sir Richard's comments. "What he said is that the comment was taken out of context and his general point was that you know when your work is done you hand over authority to the Iraqis." Mr Blair said he "suspected" Sir Richard had given a long interview with the Daily Mail, and that some of his comments had been taken out of context.

http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/uk/6049126. stm
 

 Reply:   Britain's new army chief calle

Replied by(webmaster) Replied on (13/Oct/2006)

Britain's new army chief called for a withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, warning that the military's presence there only exacerbates security problems
By TARIQ PANJA

LONDON (AP) - Britain's new army chief called for a withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, warning that the military's presence there only exacerbates security problems, according to an interview published Thursday.

Gen. Richard Dannatt described British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Iraq policies as "naive," declaring that while Iraqis might have welcomed coalition forces following the ouster of Saddam Hussein, the good will has since evaporated after years of violence.

The British military should "get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems," Dannatt said in an interview with the Daily Mail released on the tabloid's Web site. "Whatever consent we may have had in the first place" from the Iraqi people "has largely turned to intolerance, " he was quoted as saying.

The British government has not yet set a timetable for the departure of its 7,500 troops from Iraq.

The Defense Ministry responded to the interview by saying: "We have a clear strategy in Iraq. We are there with our international partners in support of the democratically elected government of Iraq, under a clear U.N. mandate."

Blair's office referred all questions to the Defense Ministry.

Dannatt's comments are certain to infuriate Blair, who is President Bush's key ally in the Iraq war. It is highly unusual for a sitting British military commander to publicly criticize the government's foreign policy. Dannatt took over as army commander in late August.

Britain's involvement in Iraq has proved highly controversial from the outset. Millions protested on the streets in the lead up to the war in 2003, while high profile cabinet ministers have quit the government as a result of Blair's support for the U.S.-led action.

The general's comments may signal an increasing boldness among senior military officials who fear that the army is overstretched on two fronts _ Afghanistan and Iraq. Other commanders have been quoted as saying the military needs to provide greater support for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dannatt said Britain's presence in the country was worsening security problems domestically too, contrary to Blair's claims that the war in Iraq had no link to the terror threat facing Britain. Such fears have been heightened since last year's terror attacks on London's transport system that killed 52 people and four suicide bombers.

"I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing round the world are caused by our presence in Iraq but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them," he said.

"We are in a Muslim country and Muslims' views of foreigners in their country are quite clear," he said. "As a foreigner, you can be welcomed by being invited in a country, but we weren't invited certainly by those in Iraq at the time."

Dannatt was severely critical of British and American planning for postwar Iraq, describing the rationale behind the invasion as flawed.

"I think history will show that the planning for what happened after the initial successful war fighting phase was poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning," he said.

"The original intention was that we put in place a liberal democracy that was an exemplar for the region, was pro West and might have a beneficial effect on the balance within the Middle East.

"That was the hope, whether that was a sensible or naive hope history will judge. I don't think we are going to do that. I think we should aim for a lower ambition."

The comments come at a time when British defense officials are facing growing criticism on a number of fronts. In Afghanistan, Britain has suffered a number of casualties recently as the army continues its tough battle against the resurgent Taliban in the south of the country. Thirty British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since July.

Since March 2003, 119 British soldiers have died in Iraq.

The general's comments polarized opinion among lawmakers and military personnel.

Former Defense Secretary Douglas Hogg questioned his motives.

"One can only assume that Sir Richard has made his views known privately and that they've been ignored," he told the British Broadcasting Corp. "I think the government needs to very quickly make it clear what the position is."

Maj. Gen. Patrick Cordingly, a former British military commander in the 1991 Gulf War, told the BBC the army chief's opinion was "enormously pragmatic" and may be welcomed by some soldiers who have served several tours of duty in Iraq.

"I think it is a very brave thing for him to say. I do agree. I think there comes a time when you have got to let Iraq get on and look after its own security," he said.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.