Should we pull our troops out of Iraq?

[Kathyan]

In view of the recent deaths of two British soldiers, does anyone think that our troops should be brought home asap?

[OBonio]

Bit of a knee jerk reaction I think. It's still a warzone out there.

So, no. They should stay until Iraq is a lot more stable.

[Drisgirl]

A resounding YES.

Why were they there in the first place?.No offence but I know the old chestnut - because of the oil etc.

Thought it was Bin Laden they were seeking out.Now that ethos I can understand.He was instrumental in varying nationalities being murdered in the 9/11 atrocity.

I have said before - our soldiers sign up to protect Queen and Country.Where does Iraq come into the equation?My response is a grass roots response and I dont have the in depth knowledge others will have.

[johnlambert]

Blair got us involved in an illegal war, we have no right being there, I was a soldier in the 1st Gulf war, we were sent in to liberate kuwait, this time it's madness. I have no arguement with the Iraqis, they couldnt defend themselfs 1st time we fought them and they were in an even worse state 3 years ago, in my opinion that is murder.Thats the main reason I left the job I loved,

Pull out and pull out NOW!!!!!

[laurence2]

its a delicate subject as i,m sure their are many views, you feel for those,s that have lost loved one,s etc, but would Irag be a safer place with no soldiers their, i suspect not as agree with obonio that needs to be more stabilised.

[OBonio]

I think Drisgirl's and johnlambert's arguments are flawed in the fact that they are based on the premise that we shouldn't have gone to war in the first place.

I agree we shouldn't have gone in, but we did. Nothing can change that.

To leave now would be a disaster and would pave the way for Iraq to become a larger training ground for terrorist organisations.

[stevie_c2it]

According to a number of recently interviewed senior Iraqi officials, they believe that there is little that can be achieved by either the American or British troops remaining in Iraq. They hold the opinion that to remain will only increase the level of antagonism (and violence) towards Western countries and nationals.

The problems that face their Country need to be resolved internally if ever stability is to be returned, and although they expect a bloody period of unrest following the departure of occupying forces, this will happen regardless, so it would be prudent to withdraw sooner rather than later to prevent additional loss of life on all sides.

As these statements come directly from well informed Iraqi nationals, I am inclined to accept their views, after all, it is their Country, and surely they have a right to determine its future?

[Ward-Minter]

pull out ASAP and nuke 'em. What is the point of us having numerous nuclear war-heads and spending billions if we never get the chance to use them?

Yes the odd woman and child will be fried alive, but that is a very small price to pay for Peace in our Time.

[druiaghtagh]

Very inflammatory answer Ward- Minter, using nukes?, you say the odd casualty, but the truth is that everyone in perhaps a radius of one mile or more will die. Do you think we will have peace after that, once one country uses them it lets the genie out of the bottle for others to consider it ok to use them. Certain terrorist groups are believed to have access to 'dirty bomb' technology, would you want those to be used in retaliation

I answer to the original thread though i believe its time for our trops to be withdrawn, this war is not about setting the Iraqui people free as most people agree.

[Ward-Minter]

radius of one mile or mile? I would say about a 200 mile radius. But think outside the box.

Say 5 million people die. How many will be saved over our life time with the rise of the evil Islamic faith. I would agrue more than 5 million.

Therefore, ergo I am a life saver with my point of view. Simplistic yes but can not be faulted as it is purely hypothetical. Look at Japan.

A few hundred thousand died but WW2 (Pacific rim side) was instantly over. Who knows how long it would have gone on for and how many lives saved?

And nowadays I drive a Honda, so there.

[searchme]

Pull 'em out , then Nuke Iraq (and Iran)

These countries are mostly on level ground and we desperately need more car parks.

[Ward-Minter]

search me, are you my long lost twin brother?

I am sure we will have some more bombs left over for Afghanistan and Palestine aswell.

[bernardo]

Iraq has now got its own constitution, parliament, government and basic political infrastructure. The purpose for which the war was fought, and tyranny removed, has now been fulfilled. The continuing occupation of Iraq by the western allied forces is counter-productive and should be ended forthwith. The future economic, structural and political development must now be in the hands of the Iraqi people themselves, without continuing outside interference.

[searchme]

Maybe a few WM- but I don't see Afghani car-park potential( too hilly) ,could be that it has possibilities as a paint-ball venue for up 'n coming NHS executives on bonding missions(provided that they're all thinking out of the box).

Palestine's easier-just level it.

[searchme]

Bernado-you naughty boy-you've forgotten to take your tablets again hanen't you?

[Goodsoulette]

I do wonder when people who claim to be soldiers or have been soldiers say "pull out" , actually were.

Every marine/soldier I know does not think it is right to abandon our country's responsibility out there. If the soldiers weren't prepared to die then why join up. For whatever reason we went there is irrelevant, we have a duty to help iraq now. Soldiers and marines arent just about fighting they have a country to rebuild and a democracy to uphold. Was iraq better off before? I dont know because the papers only seem to print the bad stories which aren't the ones that I hear when my cousins and friends come back they say they have been well received out there.

It would have been great if there had been no casualties and it must be heart breaking for the families who have lost husbands/fathers/children but thats what they were trained to do.

[Drisgirl]

Goodsoulette - I also have friends and family out there.They tell a different tale.

If its right for our troops to be out there why then are the Iraqis (the very people you purport we are helping) the very people who are killing our soldiers.

Now anyone please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.In Blairs speech today he said that this was ultimately to help Europe (not verbatum I daresay).Which countries in that case have put their troops into Iraq from Europe?

[johnlambert]

Goodsoulette,

I spent 9 years in the 1st Bn Royal Scots, I left in 1992 after I fought in the 1st Gulf war, I was sickened by all the killing, after about 6 months I rejoined, however, I enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps and spent the next 11 years with them leaving as a Staff Sergeant.

Its people like Ward-Minter who I do not ever belive have served in the Armed Forces, with his willingness to use nukes with gay abandon and disregard for human life, I have NEVER met an Commisioned Officer, or ex Commisioned Officer who holds those views.

Over to you W-M

[Goodsoulette]

Oh dear, can you not tell that wm is winding you up? If you see the questions he answers all over the place he gives the most comtroversial right wing answers he can give.

I apologise if you yourself were actually in the armed forces its jst I have never met a soldier that has felt the same way as you.

[Ward-Minter]

johnlambert I am not going to argue about my military credentials (or lack of them) but remember i fought the war with a gun NOT a stethascope. I can not believe the respect I have historically given you on here and the fact RMC have saved my ass you now have the audacity to call me a liar!

nevermind, my opinion is mine to share.

[Gef]

I think goodsoulette is on the right track. Any death is regrettable but those who join the Armed Forces must do so with the knowledge that they might be sent to Iraq, Northern Ireland (in the past) or wherever and might get killed.