The British are coming
http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=2985601
Blair: Troops Faced Problems Disarming Iraqis
Reuters
Wednesday, June 25, 2003; 7:51 AM
LONDON (Reuters) - Six British troops killed in Iraq may have run into trouble as they tried to disarm the local population, Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday.
"There is a background to do with the attempts by British forces to make sure the local population, who regularly carry machine guns and small firearms, were disarmed of those weapons," Blair told parliament.
"There had been problems in relation to that. That may form part of the background to it but at the moment it's simply too early to say."
Local residents have said Iraqi civilians shot dead the six soldiers and wounded eight others during clashes on Tuesday over intrusive arms searches.
But a British military spokesman, Ronnie McCourt, said the killing of the military police officers in the southern town of Majjar was unprovoked murder. Witnesses and residents said four Iraqis were killed and 14 wounded in the clashes with the British soldiers in Majjar, 18 miles south of the city of al Amarah.
The clashes followed resentment over weapons searches by British soldiers and erupted after troops fired plastic bullets to try to control thousands of protesters, they said.
Blair said that within 24 hours, he expected to be able to say more about the group that attacked the forces. Earlier, his spokesman said he did not recognize such a portrayal of British forces' actions or "rumors being bandied around."
Blair said there was no question of Britain turning its back on Iraq, despite the losses.
More British troops would be sent to Iraq if needed, he added but said local commanders believed they had enough forces.
http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=2985601
Blair: Troops Faced Problems Disarming Iraqis
Reuters
Wednesday, June 25, 2003; 7:51 AM
LONDON (Reuters) - Six British troops killed in Iraq may have run into trouble as they tried to disarm the local population, Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday.
"There is a background to do with the attempts by British forces to make sure the local population, who regularly carry machine guns and small firearms, were disarmed of those weapons," Blair told parliament.
"There had been problems in relation to that. That may form part of the background to it but at the moment it's simply too early to say."
Local residents have said Iraqi civilians shot dead the six soldiers and wounded eight others during clashes on Tuesday over intrusive arms searches.
But a British military spokesman, Ronnie McCourt, said the killing of the military police officers in the southern town of Majjar was unprovoked murder. Witnesses and residents said four Iraqis were killed and 14 wounded in the clashes with the British soldiers in Majjar, 18 miles south of the city of al Amarah.
The clashes followed resentment over weapons searches by British soldiers and erupted after troops fired plastic bullets to try to control thousands of protesters, they said.
Blair said that within 24 hours, he expected to be able to say more about the group that attacked the forces. Earlier, his spokesman said he did not recognize such a portrayal of British forces' actions or "rumors being bandied around."
Blair said there was no question of Britain turning its back on Iraq, despite the losses.
More British troops would be sent to Iraq if needed, he added but said local commanders believed they had enough forces.
