Blair sees More Iraq violence, no ruling on troops
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-20 21:07

Britain's Tony Blair forecast an upsurge in violence in Iraq ahead of planned January elections but said Wednesday he had not yet decided on a U.S. request for back-up from UK troops.

Many politicians are aghast at the prospect of British soldiers serving in more dangerous parts of Iraq and are demanding a vote, something ministers have ruled out.

Some accuse Blair of having already agreed to the request to help President Bush ahead of U.S. elections in less than two weeks, in which Iraq has proved a pivotal factor.

But Blair told parliament on Wednesday: "a decision has not been taken."

He added: "We are about to enter a period of increased activity in Iraq. This has nothing to do with American elections, it has everything however to do with the Iraqi elections in January."

The United States has asked UK troops to patrol volatile areas near Baghdad in order to free up American forces to tackle insurgents in hotspots like Falluja.

At least six people -- a couple and their children -- were killed in overnight U.S. air strikes in the rebel-held town.

Blair confirmed that if the deployment took place, it would involve the army's Black Watch regiment.

"If we do it, Black Watch will still be back home by Christmas," he said. "There are some 650 troops involved."

DEEP DISQUIET

Some media reports say the soldiers will see action in days, others that the move will now be delayed until after the U.S. election in order to assuage doubts at home.

Blair insisted there was no political calculation, only a military one. "The recommendation will come from our military and on the basis of that recommendation a final decision will be made," he said.

No decision is likely before a cabinet meeting Thursday and it could take longer.

Either way, Blair faces real disquiet within his Labor party, not just from those who did not support war in the first place, but from many who now regret their decision to vote for it.

"Doesn't the prime minister believe the hole he has dug over Iraq is big enough ..," asked Labor parliamentarian Marsha Singh. "Isn't it high time we stopped digging?"

Blair rejected his call. "What we have to do is stand firm and see it through and we will," he said. "We have to create the conditions in which fair elections ... can take place."

Singh is far from alone. A group of 45 Labor parliamentarians has signed a motion demanding a vote on the U.S. request.

General John McColl, the top British officer in Iraq, has said no decision to deploy the troops had yet been taken.

A UK reconnaissance team was on the ground this week studying the prospects for UK troops moving north from their relatively calm southern Basra base.

"We have had an initial report but we are awaiting a full report. There would be no question of a decision being taken in advance of that recce (reconnaissance) being done," McColl told BBC Radio.

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