PM outlines Iraq strategy
8 October 2007
Gordon Brown has outlined the next stage of Britain's strategy for bringing "political reconciliation and economic reconstruction" to Iraq.
In a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon, Mr Brown said that the Government intended to reduce British force numbers to 2,500 from next spring as Iraqi authorities prove increasingly capable of shouldering security responsibilities. Alongside this the Government would continue to push for political progress and economic growth, he said.
Mr Brown said:
"There can be little disagreement about the unanimous UN position affirming the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own political future, calling upon 'the International Community, particularly countries in the region and Iraq's neighbours, to support the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability, security, democracy and prosperity'.
"Our message to the Government of Iraq - and to the leaders of all Iraq's communities and parties - is that they must make the long-term decisions needed to achieve reconciliation."
The PM added that he had spoken with Prime Minister Maliki on his visit to Iraq last week, encouraging him to take forward the political process and to ensure the passing of key legislation on matters such as the sharing of oil revenues and a constitutional review. Mr Brown said he hoped that local elections would also be able to go ahead in 2008.
Mr Brown also called upon neighbouring countries such as Iran and Syria to play "a more constructive role" and to end their support for "terrorists and armed groups" operating in Iraq. Putting an end to the financing of militias and insurgent groups was "critical" if political reconciliation was to be achieved, he said.
The PM acknowledged that progress on Iraq was tied to progress on Israeli-Palestinian issues and on the "high levels of unemployment and poverty amongst the Palestinian people". He said he looked forward to the November meeting of key players in the region, to be held in the US, and hoped for an agreement leading to "a final settlement of two states living side by side in peace and security".
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