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Opinion

U.K. CLEARS OUT

AT ISSUE: British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that by the end of 2007, 4,500 British soldiers in Iraq -- about half the total number of British troops there --will be withdrawn. Britain plans to consolidate its bases in southern Iraq and hand more control over to Iraqi forces, CNN reported. How will this announcement affect America's presence in Iraq and people's feelings toward the war?

U.S. forces should take note of Britain's actions, prepare to follow suit

MONICA GRANGER: The news that British soldiers will withdraw from Iraq comes as little surprise, as The Economist reported in a news analysis on Wednesday that, "For months, defense officials in Britain had said that Iraqi troops were growing capable of running the four provinces of southern Iraq which were put under British control after the invasion in 2003." The British will be elated, and Americans and their government should be, as well ? the British "success" in southern Iraq gives them more time to make good on their promise of an eventual withdrawal.

The exodus of British troops will be coordinated mostly in Basra, an area not known for the sectarian violence found in and around Baghdad, CNN reported. Iraqi police forces will receive training from the remaining British soldiers. American officials have applauded the success and are already using the occasion to reiterate their own commitment to a withdrawal. Americans should be prepared to hold politicians accountable in the 2008 elections. 

American forces in Iraq most likely will not see much change in the violence in northern Iraq, however. The Economist also reported Denmark has already committed to leaving Iraq. 

American officials should prepare to leave as well by doubling efforts to train Iraqi forces and implementing them simultaneously with a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Granger is an economics/political science senior.

Britain makes logical move as it looks to put Iraq in Iraqi hands

CHRISTIAN PALMER: As with most things, there are a variety of ways to interpret this situation. 

The news that the United Kingdom wants to pull troops comes at a time when the United States ? well, the president ? wants to send over a surge of troops, a move met with disapproval from the House of Representatives. 

All kinds of polls suggest that much of the nation desires U.S. troop withdrawal. The fact that Tony Blair says withdrawal is not only OK but necessary offers a glimmer of hope that the end is near. 

Vice President Dick Cheney certainly agreed when he summed up the White House opinion: "I look at it and see it is actually an affirmation that there are parts of Iraq where things are going pretty well." 

Blair plans to withdraw almost half of the British troops stationed in Iraq, mostly in Basra, by the end of the year because he feels the area is fairly secure and it is time to hand over power to Iraqis ? a comforting thought. 

The only real reason the other troops are staying in Iraq is to train more Iraqi police and troops so they can take a bigger part in serving and protecting their own ? which has always been the ultimate goal. 

The British are coming … to their senses.

Palmer is a media production/sociology junior.

Removal of troops will bolster Americans' disapproval of war 

URSULA HAWKINS: The announcement of the removal of half of the British troops in Iraq is not surprising. 

It reinforces the world's disapproval and the growing opposition in America to the war in Iraq.

The United States is basically fighting this war alone now ? the British are one of America's last allies on the ground in Iraq. 

This should be a wake-up call to President Bush and his administration ? Britain's actions speak louder than any words. 

The war has not been popular with the American public for some time and the removal of the British troops only strengthens the argument of those who oppose it. 

People believe our actions in Iraq are not accomplishing anything and that we should not be putting American troops in danger for such a questionable cause.

According to CNN.com, 60 percent of Americans believe that terrorism on American soil is more likely because of our presence in Iraq. 

Many people also believe this war is based on lies, as weapons of mass destruction still have not been found in Iraq. 

The removal of British troops will only reinforce all of these thoughts and force those who still support the war to re-evaluate their stance concerning Iraq policy.

Hawkins is a communication/Spanish sophomore.

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