Britain reacts to Basra fury with vow to stay

BASRA - Britain yesterday vowed not to cut and run from Iraq and sought to calm fury in an increasingly volatile south over the rescue of two undercover British soldiers held by Iraqi police.

British forces used an armoured vehicle to burst into an Iraqi jail in Basra in search of the soldiers.

The operation followed rioting that began, say police and local officials, when the two soldiers fired on a police patrol.

"We do not have designs to stay [in Iraq] as an occupying imperial power. Nor are we going to cut and run because of terrorists," British Defence Secretary John Reid told the Daily Telegraph.

Reid, echoing past comments by Prime Minister Tony Blair, said the transformation of the country into a democratic society would not be accomplished without great effort. "Which is why we have to stay there and go through the dark periods ... there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Britain, which has 8000 troops in Iraq, said on Monday that it would send more if necessary. However, a leaked memo signed by Reid in July envisioned bringing most home over the next year.

The Telegraph said Reid and British defence chiefs would meet Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari in London today to discuss security issues.

Jaafari's office said there was no crisis in relations with Britain and the Interior Ministry was probing the incident. "We urge all sides to remain calm."

THE OPTIONS: SHOULD TROOPS GO OR SHOULD THEY STAY

* PULL OUT NOW

Withdraw the 8000 troops as soon as logistically possible, giving Iraqis responsibility for law and order.

Pros: End of occupation will signal end of homegrown insurgency, isolating foreign fighters.

Cons: Possible power vacuum and civil war. For Prime Minister Blair, it would mean failure. Iraqi military and police not ready to go it alone.

Will it happen? No.

* PHASED PULL-OUT

Troops stay but leave gradually after constitution referendum. Iraqi military and police assume control.

Pros: Insurgency may lose steam as occupiers become less visible. Iraqi authorities would not be left alone.

Cons: Insurgents may step up violence to force pace of withdrawal. Iraqi authorities may not be ready.

Will it happen? Unlikely. Blair says Britain cannot give in to terrorists.

* FIGHT, THEN QUIT

Send more troops, for limited period, to crush insurgency.

Pros: As referendum looms, more violence likely. Show of force could pave way for quicker withdrawal.

Cons: Aggressive reinforcement may lead to aggressive response.

Will it happen? Blair against big troop increases.

* STAY FOR LONG HAUL

Stay until insurgency defeated.

Pros: PM proves he's not a quitter. Reassurance for Kurds, Shiites, that promised prosperity will be delivered.

Cons: Iraq-Vietnam comparisons become irresistible. Insurgents gain strength and support through presence of "invaders" on Iraqi soil.

Will it happen? Very probably.

- INDEPENDENT and REUTERS