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Evacuation of British Consulate in Basra 'temporary,' says Beckett

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Oct 30, IRNA
UK Consulate-Iraq
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett confirmed Monday that Britain has decided to reduce the number of people at its embassy compound in Basra but insisted that the evacuation was only 'temporary'.

"This decision is not irreversible. We will keep staff levels and locations under review, as we always have," Beckett said in a statement in response to reports about the evacuation.

The Daily Telegraph said Monday that the retreat will be seen as a huge blow to progress in Iraq and that it has infuriated senior military commanders.

Without the British officials' presence, the 'stability of the city's fragile economy and political infrastructure could unravel' and pave the way for militias to take over, the daily warned.

Beckett said the reduction was due to the 'threat to the safety of civilian staff' following an increase in mortar and rocket attacks on the building in recent weeks.

But she added that the consul-general, the senior representative from the Department for International Development and a small team would remain.

"There are two important points to make about this decision. The first is that we will stay in Iraq until the job is done. We have adapted because we remain committed to the people of Basra and the elected Iraqi Government," the foreign secretary said.

The second, she said, was 'recognize the bravery of our civilian staff, all of whom have volunteered to serve in Iraq and who demonstrate that bravery and dedication each day in spite of these attacks'.

The evacuation of up to 200 staff at the heavily-fortified consulate was reportedly recommended by a private security assessment after the building was hit by regular mortar attacks over the past two months.

Some were said to have already been moved by helicopter, and more are expected to go this week. The staff were being evacuated either to Basra air station, 13 kilometers outside the city, or returned back to Britain.

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