Basra police chief voices worries on security without British
"The police chief of Iraq's southern Basra province acknowledged yesterday that his forces lack the means to maintain security in the region after a British troop withdrawal later this month.
The rare admission from such a high-ranking Iraqi officer reflected concerns ahead of the British pullout from the overwhelmingly Shi'ite province, which has seen major fighting between militants and coalition troops as well as between Shi'ite militias vying for control of Basra city and its security forces.
In tough situations Iraqi police have had to call in "support from Baghdad" or the US-led coalition.A senior American official in Baghdad said the United States was concerned about the oil fields and military transport lines from Kuwait with the pending transfer of security to the Iraqis. Under the pullout, the US-led coalition would remain on standby to help the Iraqis if needed.
Oh, that's why the Brits have to stay!
Think the two are connected, readers?
Britain will hand over control of Basra province - the last of four regions of southern Iraq it occupied after the 2003 invasion - within the next two weeks."
Well, probably not now!
