LONDON -In a step fraught with risks for Prime Minister Tony Blair, Britain agreed yesterday to send 850 of its soldiers from relatively peaceful southern Iraq to a volatile area near Baghdad, freeing U.S. troops to step up attacks on insurgent strongholds west of the capital.
The move is part of a coalition effort to bring order to Iraq before elections in January. But British lawmakers, many of whom opposed the war, are angry, fearing a major increase in British casualties. And some are grumbling that Britain is bailing out President Bush in his bid for re-election.
The Bush administration welcomed the redeployment, with White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying, We appreciate the contribution
and State Department spokesman Richard Boucher praising Britain's key role in the U.S.-led coalition.
It just demonstrates once again the kind of role that Britain is prepared to play in a matter that affects their security and our security
the security of all of us
and that is stabilizing Iraq and helping the people of Iraq take control of their destiny and reconstruct their country
Boucher said.
Meeting a request from U.S. commanders, Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said an armored battle group from the First Battalion Black Watch would move from its base around the southern port city of Basra into a U.S.-controlled sector close to the capital. Sunni insurgents have been carrying out daily attacks on U.S. troops and Iraqis in the area.
The battalion, complete with support units of medics, signalers and engineers, will stay for a limited period of time, weeks rather than months
Hoon said. Britain's chief of defense staff, Gen. Sir Michael Walker, later said the deployment will last a maximum of 30 days.
The government remains totally committed in its support of the interim Iraqi government and the need to hold free elections in January. We also remain committed to protecting innocent Iraqis
to dealing with terrorists
kidnappers and criminals
Hoon told the House of Commons as lawmakers groaned with disapproval.
He declined to give further details of the location
duration or specifics of the mission
