NationStates Jolt Archive

So, the US have requested our troops to offer support so they can start their assault on Fallujah. What do people think?

The main problem I have with this is two-fold. One, I don't think we should be putting our boys further into harms way as a gesture of the 'blood price' we pay for our alliance. Real friends wouldn't ask that, and real friends would tell each other what they were doing wrong. Two, I have an incredibly strong objection to the Black Watch, one of Britains best fighting forces, who have managed to placate and become friends with the people of southern Iraq, being put under control of a military not under British command who, lets face it, don't have such a great record as skilled, professional, level-headed fighting men and women.

Do you think the desision should rest witht the MoD or parliament?

Do you think the desision should rest witht the MoD or parliament?

If they were remaining under British control, the MoD. However, sub-contracting our nations army to that of a foreign country (one without democratic rule, in my opinion) is very major act, and one that should not be taken into lightly. I think it definately needs the consent of Parliament. Not only that, but I really detest the weasel words used by Geoff Hoon to justify this. It's worth pointing out he said 'this is entirely a decision for the military and not a political decision' before saying, in the same statement, that if we didn't give our troops to America we'd be a bad ally, thereby implying it's a political decision. He says it is currently a military decision in the hands of the MoD but frankly I don't trust him. And why should I?

frankly I don't trust him. And why should I?Weell, he has earned it.

It sounds like a prety boneheaded move to pull a unit out of a place where it has a working rapport with the people into a place where they're guaranteed to be resented.

If the mission is actually reconstruction, that is.

Right?

It sounds like a prety boneheaded move to pull a unit out of a place where it has a working rapport with the people into a place where they're guaranteed to be resented.

If the mission is actually reconstruction, that is.

Right?

Well, I heard the British troops were being moved in because a large number of US reservists were refusing to fight in those areas because they were too scared. That's probably a nasty rumour, but it's scary.

The point is British troops have much more experience on building trust and friendships with native populations and holding back, being less gung-ho in their approach. This is probably because they have more combat experience for longer terms, for example in Northern Ireland, and also completely different training and attitude to war.

Well, I heard the British troops were being moved in because a large number of US reservists were refusing to fight in those areas because they were too scared. That's probably a nasty rumour, but it's scary.

The point is British troops have much more experience on building trust and friendships with native populations and holding back, being less gung-ho in their approach. This is probably because they have more combat experience for longer terms, for example in Northern Ireland, and also completely different training and attitude to war.

Probably rumor. I heard of one supply unit refusing a supply run stating the trucks are not in the best shape, armor is nonexistent and they don't have proper security forces.

Haven't heard of any combat units refusing to fight.

As to Fulluja? Haven't seen any news about requesting British troops? Combat or supporting?

As to Fulluja? Haven't seen any news about requesting British troops? Combat or supporting?
Been a big story in Britain.

Micky H seems to be using it gather support.

Probably rumor. I heard of one supply unit refusing a supply run stating the trucks are not in the best shape, armor is nonexistent and they don't have proper security forces.

Haven't heard of any combat units refusing to fight.

As to Fulluja? Haven't seen any news about requesting British troops? Combat or supporting?

No, we're gonna be filling in for troops around Baghdad, whilst you lot go and blow the shit out of Fallujah, providing a double whammy election propaganda coup for Bush- Showing the Brits as an example of his 'international coalition of the willing' (Go Team Iceland!) and showing he's tough on Insurgents, tough on the causes of insurgency (minus the bit about the causes).

front page of BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3758856.stm

PS. How does one insurge into one's own country?