British Soldiers 'Broken Out' of Iraqi Prison.

[Ali]

Basra breakout: army statement
By Times Online
Full statement by Brigadier John Lorimer, the Brigade Commander of the 12 Mechanised Brigade


"I want to speak to you about yesterday’s events in Basra.


"During the morning, two British soldiers were detained at the Jamiat police station in Basra. Under Iraqi law, as MNF (Multinational Force) soldiers, they should have been handed over to the coalition authorities. The Consul-General and I asked repeatedly for this but it did not happen.

"During the day we went to exhaustive lengths to achieve the hand-over of the soldiers. And in fact, as a result, we understand that the Iraqi Interior Minister personally ordered the release of the soldiers. However, that order seems to have been ignored.

"From an early stage, I had good reason to believe that the lives of the two soldiers were at risk and troops were sent to the area of Basra near the police station to help ensure their safety by providing a cordon. As shown on television, these troops were attacked with fire-bombs and rockets by a violent and determined crowd.

"Later in the day, however, I became more concerned about the safety of the two soldiers after we received information that they had been handed over to militia elements. As a result I took the difficult decision to order entry to the Jamiat police station. By taking this action we were able to confirm that the soldiers were no longer being held by the IPS. An operation was then mounted to rescue them from a house in Basra.

"I am delighted that the two British soldiers are back with British Forces and are in good health. We will be following up with the authorities in Basra why the soldiers were not immediately handed over to MNF as Iraqi law (CPA Order 17) says that they should have been.

"I should put the scale of yesterday’s disorder into context. British armoured vehicles being attacked by a violent crowd, including with petrol bombs, makes graphic television viewing.

"But this was a small unrepresentative crowd (200-300) in a city of 1.5 million. The vast majority of Iraqi people in MND(SE) are law abiding and value the contribution made by coalition forces to maintaining stability and security.

"Minor damage was caused to the prison compound wall and to the house in which our two soldiers were held.

"It is of deep concern that British soldiers held by the police should end up being held by militia. This is unacceptable and I should stress that we won’t hesitate to take action against those who are involved in planning and conducting attacks against coalition forces.

"Looking ahead, I should stress that the situation in Basra is now calm.

"We will continue to work closely with local authorities to maintain this calm, and with the Iraqi security forces whose capabilities we are helping to develop. It was a difficult day yesterday, but we have put this behind us and will move on."

Chaos. Absolute bloody chaos.

Time to leave?

[sam i am]

Originally Posted by Ali

Chaos. Absolute bloody chaos.

Time to leave?

The time is getting closer for all forces to leave. The Iraqis are getting more and more training and the Constitution was signed yesterday. A new President and Parliament are on the way.

Just like in Afghanistan, where they elected a new Parliament yesterday, the people in those countries are taking over their own responsibilities for their own lives. This was the plan from the beginning, but it TAKES TIME, just like everything else in life.

NASA didn't announce this morning that we'll be going to the Moon again next year - they stated it would take until 2018 to put everything into place properly to make it happen safely and effectively - also to setup for the next step : a manned mission to Mars by the 2020's or 2030's.

Most rational humans understand that processes take time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears to accomplish large and great tasks - that is what is happening in the Middle East and that is what is happening in outer space. They are analogous tasks that have been undertaken.

[Schmeltz]

that is what is happening in the Middle East and that is what is happening in outer space. They are analogous tasks that have been undertaken.

Analogous only in the sense that both involve people with their heads in the clouds.

[Ace42X]

Originally Posted by Schmeltz

Analogous only in the sense that both involve people with their heads in the clouds.

That was the wittiest thing I have heard in quite some time.

[Schmeltz]

Well, I try.

Welcome back, by the by.

[sam i am]

Originally Posted by Schmeltz

Analogous only in the sense that both involve people with their heads in the clouds.

Are you against space exploration and research?

[D_Raay]

Originally Posted by sam i am

The time is getting closer for all forces to leave. The Iraqis are getting more and more training and the Constitution was signed yesterday. A new President and Parliament are on the way.

Just like in Afghanistan, where they elected a new Parliament yesterday, the people in those countries are taking over their own responsibilities for their own lives. This was the plan from the beginning, but it TAKES TIME, just like everything else in life.

NASA didn't announce this morning that we'll be going to the Moon again next year - they stated it would take until 2018 to put everything into place properly to make it happen safely and effectively - also to setup for the next step : a manned mission to Mars by the 2020's or 2030's.

Most rational humans understand that processes take time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears to accomplish large and great tasks - that is what is happening in the Middle East and that is what is happening in outer space. They are analogous tasks that have been undertaken.

Surprised to see you just regurgitating the Republican talking points sam, you usually tend to think on your own.

This sort of explanation is empty and deflects the blame (surprise surprise) from it's sources.

[sam i am]

Originally Posted by D_Raay

Surprised to see you just regurgitating the Republican talking points sam, you usually tend to think on your own.

This sort of explanation is empty and deflects the blame (surprise surprise) from it's sources.

Let's see.... I agreed it's getting closer to the time for the US and others to pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan and I get accused of "regurgitating the Republican talking points?" Hmmmm.....don't think I've heard that point being made by Bush, et. al....

I actually posted my ideas based upon reading the newspapers and watching the cable news and looking at my yahoo mail before I posted. I never read any Republican talking points, but hopefully they'll pick up on me. I guess I should be flattered that my thinking is being picked up by the Republicans, eh?

Finally, I don't believe my explanation is "empty." I thought I had come up with an apropos analogy - i.e., that large efforts take a lot of time, money, resources, and, yes, sacrifices, to accomplish great. You may disagree with my explanation or dislike my analogy, but calling it empty is untoward and implies that I had a lightweight idea in the first place. If you'd rather call me that, that's fine, but then you probably shouldn't turn around and toot my horn in the previous sentence....damning with faint praise, while an interesting rhetorical tool, is rarely cognizant of the ability of the recipient to recognize the damnation along with the praise.

Finally, I wasn't aware that we were blaming. I must have missed my talking points on that one. I know the Democrats churn out their own talking points daily as well, and I'm sure that blaming Bush is rarely at the top of the agenda. Oh no, I'm sure the talking points are just stock-full of the ways and means to improve the working conditions of the Democrats' constituencies, raise the standards of living of all Americans, and solutions to all of the world crises that they damn the Republicans and Bush for. Quite sure, I am.

[D_Raay]

It might take ten years to build a pile of shit high enough to take a flying leap off, the question is... is it really worth it?

[D_Raay]

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.p...rticl eId=972

The following Reuters report raises some disturbing questions.

Why were undercover British "soldiers" wearing traditional Arab headscarves firing at Iraqi police?

The incident took place just prior to a major religious event in Basra.

The report suggests that the police thought the British soldiers looked "suspicious". What was the nature of their mission?

Occupation forces are supposesd to be collaborating with Iraqi authorities. Why did Britsh Forces have to storm the prison using tanks and armoured vehicles to liberate the British undercover agents?

"British forces used up to 10 tanks " supported by helicopters " to smash through the walls of the jail and free the two British servicemen."

Was there concern that the British "soldiers" who were being held by the Iraqi National Guard would be obliged to reveal the nature and objective of their undercover mission?
----

Two British soldiers were caught wearing Arab clothing, firing on Iraqi police and driving a car filled with explosives and detonators. Then they send a force in there to rescue them which has now prompted massive demonstrations in the streets of Basra.

Such progress is being made. I can see how this is a long term solution to creating a democracy in the middle east. They love us so, why wouldn't they embrace our capitalistic modem of government? The important thing is that in 10 years they all have an iPod dangling from their tunics, and several thousand crumpled Big Mac wrappers littering their streets. It's a way of life really, the AMERICAN way of life.