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Article: British troops 'will quit Iraq fight for Afghanistan' amid US criticism of role
- Article from:
- The Scotsman
- Article date:
- August 20, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 The Scotsman. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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MINISTERS are planning to shift the UK's military focus to
Afghanistan, even as Britain faces growing criticism from the United
States over plans to withdraw from Iraq.
The Ministry of Defence is said to be considering a major
reinforcement of the NATO mission in Afghanistan, possibly sending up
to 2,000 extra troops. Any reinforcement could coincide with an
anticipated withdrawal of the 5,500-strong British forces from
southern Iraq.
Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, will make a statement on the
British presence in Iraq in October. MPs and officers alike expect
him to begin Britain's final withdrawal from the country.
Yet even as Britain extricates itself from Iraq, the government
may ...