Commenting on reports in the Scotsman that the Scots Guards have been put on notice to replace the Black Watch in the American Zone in Iraq just South of Baghdad, Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:
‘This is more evidence that far from being a limited deployment, British troops may be operating in the American zone for some time, with logistics and communications stretching 500 miles back to the British sector.
‘There are thousands of American soldiers in Iraq. Why aren’t they going to replace the Black Watch? Why hasn’t the Prime Minister sought assurances that they will? This is just the kind of ‘mission creep’ I have been warning about.
‘The Liberal Democrats have opposed the extension of the role of British troops in Iraq without a proper national debate and endorsement in parliament.
‘The Prime Minister gave the impression this was a very limited deployment and would be over by Christmas. But now it looks as if the Scots Guards may be spending the festive season near Baghdad.
‘The Prime Minister should be more straightforward and come clean about what the real plan is – not least for the sake of the families of soldiers who will be worried.’
ENDS
Return to October Press Releases.
Return to Press Releases.