Britain Sounds The Retreat

Article By Writer Michael Kraft Author: Michael Kraft
Published: July 30, 2007
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Independent.co.uk is the first on this story covering the retreat cry from the new prime minister of Great Britain. Lost faith in the need for a long term stand, Prime Minster Gordon Brown caves in quickly and sounds the retreat of the 5500 british troops providing support.

Here is a link in case the Prime Minister ever happens on this page.
http://www.thefineline.org/wtc/

“it is believed that as many as 500 British citizens may have perished in the WTC tragedy. According to the news report I just heard, no other act of terrorism has taken a higher toll of British lives than this. After the US, no other country has suffered more from this attack than Great Britain. “

How relevent this is to his decision today is a matter of debate, but I personally find it connected. If not very openly connected now, it may be more evident in time.

“Gordon Brown has paved the way for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq by telling George Bush he would not delay their exit in order to show unity with the United States.

After four hours of one-to-one talks with the US President at his Camp David retreat, Mr Brown told a joint press conference he would make a Commons statement in October on the future of the 5,500 British troops in the Basra region….

Mr Brown’s willingness to pursue an independent British policy in Iraq will be seen as an important break with Tony Blair. Mr Brown said the two leaders had had “full and frank discussions” - diplomatic code for some disagreements.

President Bush heaped praise on Mr Brown after their first meeting since he became Prime Minister, playing down suggestions that Mr Blair’s departure would weaken the strong US-UK partnership.

Revealingly, Mr Brown did not return the personal compliments, instead focusing on the historic links between the two countries and predicting they would get even stronger. This reflected his desire for a more business-like relationship with the President, instead of the strong personal bond forged by Mr Blair.

The two leaders also had to paper over their different approaches on how to respond to terrorism. While maintaining a united front, Mr Brown told President Bush that the fight could not be won by military might alone, and called for a “Cold War-style” propaganda battle in the Muslim world.

Deliberately avoiding the phrase “war on terror,” Mr Brown said: “Terrorism is not a cause but a crime - a crime against humanity.” In contrast, the President spoke of “this war against extremists and radicals”. But he said of Mr Brown: “There is no doubt in my mind that he understands the stakes in the struggle.”

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2819582.ece

Prime Minster Gordon Brown caves in quickly and sounds the retreat of the 5500 british troops providing support.