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UK initiative to win hearts, minds of Iraqi people

IRNA

London, Sept 9, IRNA -- The British government Tuesday was battling on
two fronts to defect criticism that there were "no plans" for the 
post-war reconstruction of Iraq. 
In a debate initiated by the opposition Conservatives in the House
of Commons, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon was forced to admit that the 
security situation in Iraq was "difficult." 
The extra 1,200 British troops being deployed was to allow 
commanders to undertake more military responsibilities, he said, 
arguing that the situation was "constantly evolving" as more tasks 
were being undertaken. 
The dispatch of additional troops is only part as a wider 
initiative being developed with the much bigger battle of winning the 
hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, opposed to the US-UK occupation.
Later in the week, the UK is sending former ambassador to the UN, 
Sir Jeremy Greenstock, to Iraq to replace John Sawers as the 
government`s special adviser. 
The seasoned diplomat, who was due to retire in July, is seeking 
to distance himself in his role as deputy to the US administrator in 
Iraq, Paul Bremer. 
One of his main functions, Greenstock believes, is to "turn around
the perceptions of the Iraqi people" about the occupation and to build
confidence in the appointed Iraqi Council. 
At a press briefing in London Tuesday, he said that his support 
for Bremer would be in putting together a regenerated Iraq, to bring 
back the country under the control of the people and to use his 
influence in gaining necessary resources into operations when needed. 
The special representative does not disguise the "enormous amount"
that still has to be done and that the progress the coalition has to 
produce in the next few weeks against the considerable security threat
in the country. 
He also sees his role as being the "eyes and ears" of the British 
government in Iraq and to be able to bring influence to policy-making 
decisions in his frequent trips back to London. 
More widely, Greenstock said that he wanted to be available to 
talk with other capitals, in particular Iraq`s six neighbouring 
countries, as well as in Washington. 
HC/215 
End