Smash hit

“That is a deadline for a report not a deadline for a change in policy, at least not that I am aware of. Ambassador Crocker and I intend to go back and provide a snapshot at that time, however focused the photograph is at that time and begin to describe what has been achieved and what has not been achieved and also to provide some sense of implications of courses of action. Neither of us is under any illusion.”

Would you like the surge to continue indefinitely?

“It depends on what the sense is for the prospects of achieving Iraq’s constitution. I hope that we can put time back on the Washington clock. Al-Qaeda is keenly aware of the Washington clock. They are obviously going to have a surge of their own. You saw an example of this yesterday. They wanted to make sure that the headlines about the launch of the offensive don’t create too much hope."

Gordon Brown is taking over as Prime Minister in the coming days, he is under huge pressure to bring British troops back. How useful is the British role in Iraq?

“The British provide a hugely useful contribution. The obvious one is the leadership of the Multi-National Forces South East. There are at least two other huge contribution. One is the diplomatic contribution. It is a smaller contingent than the US but it is a very important diplomatic mission thanks to the sheer quality of the people who have been here."

“Beyond that you have the same quality in the headquarters of the Multi-National Forces, including my deputy (Lieutenant General Graham Lamb), who are top notch. They have had substantial experience in engaging with some those who tacitly turned a blind eye or who wished us ill at various times. It is very instructive to have as a deputy commander a guy llike Graham Lamb. There is a guy who comes from a military where he sat down across the negotiating table with people who were swinging pipes at their lads a few years earlier. Every endeavour like this has ended by getting some folks to change sides. That is what happened in Anbar province. It was described as lost 10 months ago. General Lamb is head of the Force Strategic Engagement Cell."

If Gordon Brown phoned you and asked why Britain should stay in Iraq, what would you say?

"I have talked to Gordon Brown a couple of times. I came through Number 10 on my wait out here and he came here. The same with the Australian Prime Minister. As conditions warrant, changes can be made to force structure. That is the way we would like to continue to carry on."

But Basra requires a military presence?

"It certainly requires a coalition presence. I will let them speak for themselves."

Are you concerned about the tactic of arming groups that previously opposed you?

"You want locals to establish local security. In Anbar Province tribes have always been important. You can't ignore the tribes, they are of enormous importance…If you have a police support unit, you put them through a 40-hour course we call them police auxiliary in the US. You want to tie them in. Get them on the payroll. Then you can get them to enlist in the army. Those are working. They swear allegiance to Iraq. Those oaths mean something to people who put premium on honour."

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