(24 Feb 2007)
February 24, 2007
1. Wide of news conference
2. Cutaway of badge
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Major General Jonathan Shaw, Commander of British forces, southern Iraq
"Over the next few months you will see a growing partnership between Iraqi and coalition forces in our operations and in our basing."
FILE: 21 February 2007
4. Wide shot of convoy of British tanks driving through Basra street
February 24, 2007
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Major General Jonathan Shaw, Commander of British forces, southern Iraq
"I recognise that coalition forces do not belong in the long run on the streets of Basra."
FILE: 21 February 2007
6. British tanks driving through Basra street
February 24, 2007
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Major General Jonathan Shaw, Commander of British forces, southern Iraq
"True to the coalition campaign plan, I intend, in consultation with my Iraqi colleagues, to begin the process of handing over security to the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police service."
FILE: 21 February 2007
8. British soldier walking across bridge towards camera, tanks following
February 24, 2007
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Major General Jonathan Shaw, Commander of British forces, southern Iraq
"The transition will be a gradual one. We are conscious of the need to continue to build on the successes of a relatively new organisation."
FILE: 21 February 2007
10. Mid of British tanks in Basra
February 24, 2007
11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Major General Jonathan Shaw, Commander of British forces ,southern Iraq
"My responsibility for security in Basra remains, and I will retain a force posture and force numbers that allows me to discharge that responsibility."
FILE: 21 February 2007
12. British tanks driving through Basra
STORYLINE:
The commander of the British forces in southern Iraq on Saturday said that the gradual handover of security to Iraqi troops and the police service would take place "true to the coalition campaign plan."
"The transition will be a gradual one. We are conscious of the need to continue to build on the successes of a relatively new organisation," said Major General Jonathan Shaw, speaking at a news conference in Basra.
He however said that his responsibility for security in Basra remained.
"I will retain a force posture and force numbers that allows me to discharge that responsibility," Shaw told reporters.
The news conference came three days after UK Prime Minister Tony Blair told lawmakers that Britain would withdraw 1,600 of its soldiers force from Iraq in coming months.
British officials said that Blair also hoped to make other cuts to the 7,100-strong contingent by late summer, depending on the security situation.
Britain will hand over most of security in the Basra area to Iraqi security forces, concentrating its troops at the city's palace and air base.
Blair's announcement came as Bush implements an increase of 21-thousand more troops for Iraq, mostly in and around the capital.
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