|
British troops poised to enter Iraq's danger zones
British military commanders are said to be coming under pressure from Downing Street to deploy large-scale reinforcements to Baghdad and other American-controlled areas of Iraq.
Washington wants Britain to provide a new headquarters to replace the 1,300 Spanish troops around Najaf, who are due to begin their withdrawal next week.
"There are obvious doctrinal difference between the Americans and the British on peace-keeping, and one can understand the unease of the British military," said Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell.
Meanwhile, figures released yesterday by trade secretary Patricia Hewitt suggest that Britain is missing out to American companies in the race to secure big contracts to rebuild Iraq.
The statistics show that British companies have been nominated as prime contractors on less than a third of contracts, worth about $5 billion (£3 billion), awarded so far.
|
Published: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 07:35:08 GMT+01
|
|
