Further to above from the MOD:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/UkPersonnelInIraqWillReduceByAbout800AfterMayRoulement.htm
UK Personnel in Iraq will reduce by about 800 after May roulement
13 Mar 06
Defence Secretary John Reid has announced that the UK military presence in Iraq will reduce by about 800 personnel, following the next roulement of British forces in May.
The Secretary of State said that the reduction in overall numbers was not part of a handover of security responsibilities to the Iraqis, but instead reflected the completion of some security sector reform tasks - developing the Iraqi security forces capabilities, for example by training the trainers and those guarding institutions. It also reflected improvements in the configuration of UK forces.
In the statement, made to Parliament on 13 March 2006, Mr Reid explained that the lead UK formation in Iraq, currently 7th Armoured Brigade, would be replaced in early May by 20th Armoured Brigade. The major units that will be deployed to replace those currently in theatre will be:
1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (from 20 Brigade, Osnabruck)
The Queen’s Royal Hussars (20 Brigade, Sennelager)
12th Regiment Royal Artillery (1 Division, Sennelager)
33 Engineer Regiment (Wimbish near Saffron Walden)
35 Engineer Regiment (20 Brigade, Paderborn)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards (160 Brigade, Windsor)
1st Battalion The Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment (20 Brigade, Paderborn)
2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (2 Brigade, Tern Hill)
1st Battalion The Devon and Dorset Light Infantry (19 Brigade, Catterick)
1st Battalion The Light Infantry (20 Brigade, Paderborn)
3 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (Abingdon)
"Iraqis themselves have clearly shown us what they want, and it is not a return to fear and oppression. They showed us that most impressively in December, when some 12 million of them voted in free and fair election"
John Reid
The full text of the Secretary of State's statement is as follows:
"With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to make a statement about our operations and force levels in Iraq.
"First let me express my sincere condolences to the families of Captain Richard Holmes and also to the family of Private Lee Ellis of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, killed in Iraq on 28th February; and also to Trooper Carl Smith’s family, Trooper Smith who died on 2nd February. I am sure the whole House will wish to be associated with these condolences.
"We express our sympathy too for all those families of the forces of other nations, and of the many innocent civilians who have died or have been injured as a result of terrorist activity in Iraq in recent months.
"Hon and Rt Hon Members will have been following the situation in Iraq carefully, and will, like me, have been concerned about events in particular those following the disgraceful bombing of the al-Askari Shrine in Samarra.
"Some commentators have suggested that that act of terror will lead to a slide into civil war. It is certainly true that those acts of terrorism are cruel and barbaric but they are not mindless. They have a purpose. That purpose is to undermine the efforts of the vast majority of the Iraqi people who seek peace, stability and democracy in their country, and it also has the purpose of trying to break the will of the coalition forces supporting them in that quest.
"Mr Deputy Speaker, despite the ferocity of the terrorist, the Iraqi people will not be defeated. And our will to see the job done will not be broken.
"Our analysis is that civil war is neither imminent nor inevitable. But it is the case that in some areas of Iraq, including in Baghdad, there has been an increase in sectarian violence. This is abhorrent and plays to the aim of the terrorists.
"This reflects the completion of some of our security sector reform tasks, to develop the capability of the Iraq forces; for instance in training the trainers and in those who guard institutions."
John Reid
"But in fact, in the face of the cynical targeting of the Samarra attack, the aftermath has been characterised more by calls for restraint by Iraqi politicians and religious leaders, by the calm reaction of the vast majority of Iraqis, in all the circumstances – despite their natural revulsion and anger – and the mature response of Iraq’s new security forces. These are, in the midst of all of the problems that we see, encouraging signs in a very difficult and delicate situation.
"Our respect and admiration for the men and women of our armed forces remains undiminished. The truly magnificent work they are doing there is having a positive effect and they have played a vital role in helping Iraq come a long long way in a short space of time.
"Suffice it to say that Iraqis themselves have clearly shown us what they want, and it is not a return to fear and oppression. They showed us that most impressively in December, when some 12 million of them voted in free and fair elections – 12 million, or a turnout Mr deputy Speaker of about 75% of the electorate – despite the threats of death and destruction.
"The current political wrangling over the formation of a new coalition Government is perhaps natural, but is also contributing towards an uncertainty and towards fuelling speculation. As that process moves forward the Iraqi politicians must not forget the commitment of the Iraqi people who voted in such large numbers to bring order and fair government to a unified Iraq.
"However, there has also been a continual and considerable advance in the numbers, capability and morale of the Iraqi Security Forces. Which have developed as democracy has developed. It is in this context that I now turn to our United Kingdom troop presence.
"When I announced the last changeover in October last year there were 190,000 members of the Iraqi security forces already trained, capable and equipped. Today I can tell the House that there are around 235,000 – 45,000 more than when I announced the last roulement deployment, and others are joining them at the rate of around 5,000 every month.
"It is against this background that we assess our force levels. I can therefore tell the House today that as a result of this roulement there will be a reduction of British forces in Iraq of around 800 personnel. This reflects the completion of some of our security sector reform tasks, to develop the capability of the Iraq forces; for instance in training the trainers and in those who guard institutions, as well as improvements in the way we configure our own forces.
"We will stay as long as we are needed, and wanted, and until the job is done."
John Reid
"Our force levels reflect the in-theatre assessments in the South East of Iraq. Today's announcement marks a reduction from the high point of some 10,000 UK personnel in October 2003, to just over 7,000 in May of this year.
"The lead formation in Iraq, currently 7th Armoured Brigade, will be replaced in early May by 20th Armoured Brigade.
"The following major units will be deployed to replace those in theatre today:
1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
The Queen's Royal Hussars
12th Regiment Royal Artillery
33 and 35 Engineer Regiments
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
1st Battalion The Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment
2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment
1st Battalion The Devon and Dorset Light Infantry
1st Battalion The Light Infantry
And, 3 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
"A number of Reserve personnel will accompany this deployment, including soldiers from The Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers, and the King's and Cheshire Regiment.
"Aviation support will continue to be provided by five Merlin, eight Sea King Support Helicopters, and four Lynx. In May, there will be a reduction of two Sea King helicopters. Our support to the Iraqi Navy and our contribution to the coalition taskforce in the North Arabian Gulf, will continue unchanged.
"Let me stress Mr Deputy Speaker, that the reductions I have announced are not, repeat not, part of a handover of security responsibility at the operational level. They are not caused by, nor a cause of, changes in troops levels of other coalition allies.
"In the next few weeks The Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility, a body made up of Iraqi Ministers, military staff and senior Coalition figures, will start the assessment phase to look at whether conditions have been met for some Provinces in Iraq to begin the handover process to which I have already alluded. When they have reached conclusions I will of course update the House on the implications of that assessment.
"In closing I'd like to reiterate that we continue amidst the struggle in Iraq to make progress but much remains to be done.
"Let me stress that the reductions I've announced are not part of a handover of security responsibility to the Iraqis themselves. They are not caused by, nor a cause of, changes in troop levels of other coalition allies.
"They do reflect the completion of some of our security reform tasks in developing the capability of the Iraqi forces. Training the trainers and guarding institutions.
"Our commitment to the Iraqi people and their Government remains total, and it remains steadfast. Our commitment to the coalition is certain. We will stay as long as we are needed, and wanted, and until the job is done.
"Today marks another significant step in that process.”
