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UK unsure about future troop commitment in Iraq

IRNA

London, Nov 4, IRNA -- Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon is uncertain about
how many British troops will be required in occupied Iraq next year. 
"It is difficult to speculate precisely how many troops will be 
required this time next year. No one can pretend the security 
situation in parts of Iraq, particularly around Baghdad, is anything 
other than very difficult," Hoon told MPs on Monday. 
He said that force numbers `depend upon security` and Britain was 
working had to improve the situation and return the country to the 
Iraqi people. 
"We want to do that as quickly as possible but that has to be 
consistent with the security arrangements. We want to see the Iraqis 
take increasing responsibility for their own security," the defense 
secretary insisted. 
During defense questions in parliament, Conservative MP George 
Osborne that the death of American troops over the weekend has 
increased the domestic pressure on President George W Bush to reduce 
the civilian and military commitment by the US to post-war Iraq. 
"It is very important that both the United States and Britain 
resist that pressure," he warned, adding that it was essential that 
the coalition forces finish what they started. 
Last month, Britain was forced to increase its force level in Iraq
to 11,000 but is under severe restraints from both military 
overstretch and escalating cost. 
The Foreign Office revealed last week that the UK`s involvement in
Iraq has cost the British taxpayer more than pnds 1.25 billion 
(dlrs 2 bn), but estimates suggest that this could rise to Pnds 6 bn 
over the next three years. 
HC/AH/210 
End