Britain won't send more troops: Hoon
Last Updated Mon, 31 Mar 2003 10:45:36
LONDON - Britain has no plans to bolster its forces fighting in Iraq, despite a heavy barrage of criticism suggesting that the U.S.-led war was poorly planned and is understaffed
Answering questions in the British House of Commons on Monday, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said he is standing by his pre-war estimates for Britain's contribution to the war effort.
"What I am ruling out at this stage at any rate is the necessity for any substantial increase of the total numbers of our forces in theatre," he said.
Britain has sent about 45,000 troops to the Persian Gulf, which Hoon said would be "sufficient for the job we were required to undertake, and nothing has changed my assessment of that position."
U.S. officials, including Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and President George Bush, have been testy since late last week over reports the campaign has bogged down.
Critics of the war have suggested the Pentagon underestimated Iraqi resistance and started the war with too few forces in place.
They have all repeatedly told reporters the war is going according to plan.
U.S. Gen. Tommy Franks, who is commanding the campaign, said on Sunday that the campaign progress has been "remarkable."
"In the big scope of things, we're on track," Franks said. "We think we have just the right forces for what we need to do now."
U.S.-led forces are within 80 kilometres of Baghdad, claim to control 40 per cent of Iraq, and have taken as many as 8,000 prisoners of war.
Written by CBC News Online staff
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