Consternation in Washigton... Brits withdrawing 1/3 in October

[troubleinwinter]

Britain to cut troop levels in Iraq

Jason Burke, chief reporter
Sunday September 19, 2004
The Observer

The British Army is to start pulling troops out of Iraq next month despite the deteriorating security situation in much of the country, The Observer has learnt.

The main British combat force in Iraq, about 5,000-strong, will be reduced by around a third by the end of October during a routine rotation of units.

The forthcoming 'drawdown' of British troops in Basra has not been made public and is likely to provoke consternation in both Washington and Baghdad.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1307980,00.html

[aquart]

1. Well, it's public now.

My, my, my.

Anyone else think Blair is goosing George up the rear?

[aquart]

2. Wait. Is THIS the October Surprise?

[IndianaGreen]

6. The October surprise is the FBI's October Plan

described by CBS in this story:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/17/eveningnews/main644096.shtml

Red Alert!

[blondeatlast]

10. Chilling:

The bureau also knows it can expect to be criticized for the strategy if it goes too far. One element of the plan calls for addressing what some officials fears could be a wave of protests from Arab-Americans and civil libertarians once the so-called "October Plan" kicks off.


That last sentence put chills up my spine...

[IndianaGreen]

13. Perhaps we should call it the Oktober Plan

German seems to be the language that best describes all of the things Bush does.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. You know that our fearless leader does not read

the Washington Times, what makes you think he will read that commie piece of trash from Old Europe?

:-)

Now do me a favor, but after Laura includes some toons in the PBD, do pass the popcorn

[troubleinwinter]

4. Pass the chocolate from one of those countries, ya know.. heh.

[amber dog democrat]

8. if so its about time.

Just because we are headed over a cliff does not mean they need to join us.

[amber dog democrat]

5. I suppose its in England's best interest to formulate a withdrawl plan

if we don't seem to be able to.
Its a clusterfuck with no achievable end in sight. No one said they had to share Dien Bien Phu or Custers' last stand with us.

I wish them god speed getting out not harmed any furhter.
With our go it alone attitude, who needs allies ?
but lets get a draft started real soon. We're going to need one.

[Doosh]

7. coalition of the billing

Sorry chaps, but it's going to cost you if you want our 1/3 back.

The Brits should know what a deteriorating no-win situation is by now...

and who's going to replace them? Why 18 year old Billy from down the block of course.

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. That leaves the south in our little hands too.

Perhaps they are just acting on the bush statements that Iraq is getting better, that they are marching toward freedom.

[alcuno]

11. That's what happens when you're making progress in Iraq.

Obviously the Brits are no longer needed.

[blondeatlast]

12. Not to be difficult here, but BBC is not reporting this at all.

Just find it curious...

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. I think observer broke

BBC will follow soon, we all hope.. unless there is some furious negotiating right as we speak... er type