Published: Thursday, 10th April, 2008 09:30
Richard Benyon's Westminster Diary
By Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury
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Newbury MP Richard Benyon
THERE were two international statements to Parliament this week. The one on Iraq was depressing and the other on Zimbabwe was hopeful.
Basra has seen some fierce fighting in recent weeks. The new Iraqi army has taken on the militia loyal to the Shia cleric, Moqtada al Sada.
The 4,000 British troops based at the nearby airport are in what Ministers call an 'overwatch’ role. This means they are not supposed to get involved in these battles but can provide support through re-supply, medical help and other background activities.
We heard in the Commons how this state of deployment had been the subject of “mission creep” with air and artillery support being provided.
This is a worry. Until some months ago, our highly trained soldiers, many from west Berkshire, were involved in heavy fighting against this determined enemy. Fighting in a built-up area is a complex and dangerous activity.
Ordering the relatively new Iraqi army to put down this rebellion is a big ask. Now young Iraqi commanders on the ground finding they are being attacked from all sides must wonder why they are not getting more help from the 4,000 British troops up the road.
If the temporary cease-fire ends, two things could happen.
Our troops could be brought in to help, with inevitable casualties, and this would be fiercely opposed in this country.
Alternatively, they could remain in barracks and leave the Iraqis to fight it out, which could cause real stresses and strains on our relationship with the Iraqi Government.
No winners here, not least for Gordon Brown who has had to go back on his troop withdrawal plans announced last autumn, which some thought was a pre-election stunt.
The other statement was on Zimbabwe. There was just a smidgen of hope that the days of the evil Mugabe are almost over. I liken these days to the end of the Ceausescu regime in Romania.
I want to see fear in the eyes of Mugabe in the same way as we did with Ceausescu when the crowd turned on him. However, I conceded to the Commons that such emotions are self-indulgent.
What matters now is that Mugabe goes and the economy is brought under control.
I would love to see this dreadful man brought to justice but, if offering him a dignified retreat brings about quicker change for Zimbabweans, that must be the way forward.
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