UK fails to reach agreement on training Iraq navy
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, June 3, IRNA -- Britain has failed to reach an agreement with Iraq to enable a contingent of British forces to continue training and support operation after the expiry of combat missions at the end of May, it was reported Wednesday.
The failure forced two British ships to leave Iraqi waters on Sunday and scores of navy trainers to suspend their work, leaving the US Navy to handle the protection mission alone, according to the Times newspaper.
"Negotiators had hoped to get the deal wrapped up weeks ago but the timing of an agreement is now uncertain," the daily reported.
It said that Iraqi ministers only approved a draft accord on Tuesday, but that it still had to go before Baghdad's parliament.
While announcing the end of the UK's combat mission in Iraq on April 30, the Ministry of Defense said that it 'offered to continue to provide Maritime support and Naval training' to build on the work carried out by the British-led Coalition Naval Training Team at Umm Qasr, which is helping to develop a new Iraqi Navy.
It said that it also expected that Royal Navy ships will continue to patrol the Persian Gulf area and contribute to the defence of Iraqi territorial waters and its vital oil platforms.
The Times said that the US military has warned that the departure of the British frigate and auxiliary vessels will put Iraq’s vital oil platforms off its southern coast at greater risk and that it was unable to fill Britain’s training and mentoring role.
It also said that even the draft accord authorizes only 100 British trainers to remain for another year after ratification by parliament, fewer than the 400 personnel originally envisaged but that it would allow for the return of British ships to help to protect the Iraqi oil infrastructure.
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