Army chief at odds with Blair as he calls for troops to 'get out' of Iraq

"I think history will show that the planning for what happened after the initial successful war fighting phase was poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning." - GENERAL SIR RICHARD DANNATT

Story in full THE head of Britain's army said the presence of British troops in Iraq was exacerbating the security situation on the ground and they should be withdrawn soon.

General Sir Richard Dannatt said Britain's involvement in Iraq was aggravating security problems elsewhere in the world.

In comments which are unusually blunt for a serving senior officer, he said troops should "get ... out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems".

Britain, Washington's main ally in Iraq, has around 7,000 troops deployed, mainly in the south of the country.

Since the war started in 2003, the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq has risen to 119 .

Recent reports showed that the Iraqi death toll has risen to 650,000 since the beginning of the conflict.

Sir Richard said: "We are in a Muslim country and Muslims' views of foreigners in their country are quite clear. As a foreigner, you can be welcomed by being invited in a country, but we weren't invited certainly by those in Iraq at the time.

"The military campaign we fought in 2003 effectively kicked the door in. Whatever consent we may have had in the first place, may have turned to tolerance and has largely turned to intolerance.

"That is a fact. I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing round the world are caused by our presence in Iraq but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them."

Putting himself directly at odds with Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush, the general criticised the post-invasion planning by the US-led coalition.

"I think history will show that the planning for what happened after the initial successful war fighting phase was poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning."

The Ministry of Defence declined to comment immediately on the comments. A spokesman at Blair's office was not immediately available to comment.

Meanwhile, anti-war campaigners welcomed the comments by the head of the British army that the presence of our soldiers was making the situation there worse.

Andrew Burgin, of the Stop the War Coalition, invited General Sir Richard Dannatt to speak at the antiwar group's next public demonstration.

He said: "He has articulated what we have been saying for a long period now: that the presence of the British forces is exacerbating the security problems in Iraq itself.

"This leaves Tony Blair completely isolated and following on from the report that showed more than 650,000 people have been killed in Iraq, these are the final nails in the coffin of Tony Blair's war in Iraq."

Rose Gentle, whose soldier son Gordon was killed in Iraq two years ago, said she was overjoyed to hear Sir Richard's comments.

She said: "It's absolutely brilliant, I'm glad someone has finally said something.

"We have said all along that our boys are not helping by being out there, they are causing it. I'm glad the Army has stood up for itself.

"I hope Tony Blair sees sense now and brings our boys home, because it's their lives that are in danger.

"I'm just really delighted that Sir Richard Dannatt has stood up and spoken out. He is protecting our boys.

"We have been saying for two years this needed to happen and I think military families have done a good bit."

Shadow defence secretary Dr Liam Fox said the coming days and weeks would show if Sir Richard's opinions reflect Government thinking.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell added the Government policy on Iraq was "collapsing".

Concerns over problems in conflict zones

IT IS not the first time Sir Richard Dannatt has spoken out about the problems facing British troops serving in the world’s major conflict zones. Last month, he warned the UK was doing “more than its share” of the military work in Afghanistan when asked whether NATO countries should make a larger contribution . Speaking about the burdens being placed on the army in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, the 55-year-old said: “We are running hot, certainly running hot. Can we cope? I pause. I say ‘ Just ’.” Only a few days ago he issued an internal letter to all ranks calling for them to keep criticism and complaints “in house”. His letter, follows a series of leaked communications from members of the 3 Para battlegroup criticising the RAF and outlining frontline shortages of food, ammunition and water.

Gen Dannatt said two weeks ago that an e-mail from Major Jamie Loden, a parachute company commander, was “ irresponsible”. Major Loden described RAF efforts to bomb Taleban insurgents as “ utterly useless”. Another officer, Major John Swift, raised concerns on a regimental website about wounded soldiers being patched up and sent back into battle without appearing on casualty records.

Experienced commander

SIR Richard, who took over as Chief of the General Staff in August from General Sir Mike Jackson, is an experienced commander who has served in trouble spots across the globe from Bosnia to Northern Ireland in a career spanning more than 30 years.

After joining The Green Howards in 1971 as an officer, the Durham University graduate served with the 1st Battalion in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Germany and commanded the Battalion in the Airmobile role from 1989 to 1991.

From 1994 to 1996 he commanded 4th Armoured Brigade in Germany and Bosnia. He took command of 3rd (United Kingdom) Division in January 1999, and also served in Kosovo that year as Commander British Forces.

In 2000 he returned to Bosnia as the Deputy Commander Operations of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR).

He was born on December 23, 1950 and was educated at Felsted School, Essex, and St Lawrence College, Kent.

He has a permanent home in Norfolk with his wife Philippa, a fellow Durham University graduate who he married in 1977. The couple have three sons and a daughter. One of their sons is currently serving with The Grenadier Guards.