I never had a problem with Brit troops going into Iraq. Many people here did. I can fully understand their position. It wasn't our war, we had no place there. We were simply following the lead of a country, bigger and more powerful than us. Many people here thought we were better than that. That Blair was better than that and him sending Brit troops over there was a sign of weakness more than anything. I don't think it was. It was something that had to be done. To show our support of a nation, who was putting to an end a terrible tyranny. We were showing support for our biggest ally. As I said I fully agreed with this. As time has gone on, and more information about this war has come forward this opinion hasn't always stood, but this isn't relevant. We started something and it needs to be finished. That is my opinion. We can't just go into something, maybe lacking information, but then find things out and decide we shouldn't of done it so we'll just walk away. The world doesn't work like that. It is a job that needs to be finished. By the Brit troops as well as the US troops. Listening to the news recently and finding out that they want to place Brit troops under US command was taking it a little far for me though. We may be an ally of the US. They may be in charge of these proceedings, but we still have our own identity, our own way of doing this and I think that needs to be respected. I don't think putting us under US command will do any good. Except annoy people here, and want people to pull Brit troops out even more.
Currently Downing Street is denying claims that Brit troops will be put under US command in Iraq as part of a political deal with Bush. Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon is to make a statement in commons saying such a decison would be purely operational.
This comes as thousands of people were demonstrating in central London calling for the withdrawal of Brit troops. The US is apparently requesting for a UK force of about 650 to step in because a US unit has been earmarked for "combat opereations" in the insurgent strong hold of falluja.
Robin cook (former foreign secretary) fears Brit troops will be blamed for US aggression if redeployed. Mr Cook, who resigned from the government over the decision to invade Iraq, said: "The real risk of sending a British battalion into the US sector is that our troops could become associated in Iraqi minds with US methods."
The biggest march in the UK this year organised by Stop the war coalition is supported by Paul Bigley, brother of murdered hostage Ken. They just want our troops out completely. No being under US command. Downing street wants to make sure this doesn't look like it has anything to do with the American election, and Blair showing support. As I said, I don't have a problem with Brit troops being there, I think under US comman is a little to far though. Maybe it could work out for the best though, we are supposed to be working together after all. I think it will happen eventually whether we like it or not.