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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Back troops, says UK Iraq general | Back troops, says UK Iraq general |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The head of British forces in southern Iraq has called for national support for soldiers serving in the country. | The head of British forces in southern Iraq has called for national support for soldiers serving in the country. |
| Issues such as underfunding had to be addressed to maintain their quality of work, Maj Gen Richard Shirreff said. | Issues such as underfunding had to be addressed to maintain their quality of work, Maj Gen Richard Shirreff said. |
| His comments came after an interviewer said many soldiers had complained of "running on empty" in Iraq. The MoD said spending had risen steadily. | |
| Meanwhile, seven British soldiers on patrol in northern Basra suffered minor injuries when a roadside bomb exploded. | Meanwhile, seven British soldiers on patrol in northern Basra suffered minor injuries when a roadside bomb exploded. |
| 'Relative neglect' | 'Relative neglect' |
| A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said there had been "a number" of armoured vehicles in the patrol when an IED (improvised explosive device) exploded. | A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said there had been "a number" of armoured vehicles in the patrol when an IED (improvised explosive device) exploded. |
| She said the injured were checked over by medics, but nobody was admitted to hospital. | She said the injured were checked over by medics, but nobody was admitted to hospital. |
| In his comments to the BBC, Maj Gen Shirreff said: "The nation needs to understand that the quality work done by these courageous men and women out here only happens and can only continue if... our soldiers are properly supported back home in terms of the support for training, infrastructure, barracks, accommodation." | In his comments to the BBC, Maj Gen Shirreff said: "The nation needs to understand that the quality work done by these courageous men and women out here only happens and can only continue if... our soldiers are properly supported back home in terms of the support for training, infrastructure, barracks, accommodation." |
| This is Iraq, this is Arabia and this is reality, so a 60% solution is good enough for me Major General Richard Shirreff | This is Iraq, this is Arabia and this is reality, so a 60% solution is good enough for me Major General Richard Shirreff |
| "Some of these issues need solving," he said, adding that many were "the result of a generation of underfunding and relative neglect". | "Some of these issues need solving," he said, adding that many were "the result of a generation of underfunding and relative neglect". |
| However, Maj Gen Shirreff made it clear that he felt the problems related to a general malaise, rather than ones relating to governance. | However, Maj Gen Shirreff made it clear that he felt the problems related to a general malaise, rather than ones relating to governance. |
| "I don't blame any particular party or government, I think this is a general issue," he said. | "I don't blame any particular party or government, I think this is a general issue," he said. |
| "There's a whole range of areas - it's not just the sharp end here." | "There's a whole range of areas - it's not just the sharp end here." |
| Maj Gen Shirreff referred to a "military covenant between the nation and its soldiers", which he said was now "seriously out of kilter". | Maj Gen Shirreff referred to a "military covenant between the nation and its soldiers", which he said was now "seriously out of kilter". |
| 'Completely unrepentant' | 'Completely unrepentant' |
| And, suggesting that British ambitions in Iraq had been scaled back, he went on: "Clearly I would love a 100% solution. | And, suggesting that British ambitions in Iraq had been scaled back, he went on: "Clearly I would love a 100% solution. |
| "When I came up here and initiated the operations we have been conducting, I was looking for a 100% solution. | "When I came up here and initiated the operations we have been conducting, I was looking for a 100% solution. |
| "But this is Iraq, this is Arabia and this is reality, so a 60% solution is good enough for me." | "But this is Iraq, this is Arabia and this is reality, so a 60% solution is good enough for me." |
| Maj Gen Shirreff also referred to the demolition of an Iraqi police station as a turning point in the battle with Basra's death squads. | Maj Gen Shirreff also referred to the demolition of an Iraqi police station as a turning point in the battle with Basra's death squads. |
| He made it clear that he remained "completely unrepentant" about the Christmas Day operation, despite some criticism from provincial council leaders. | He made it clear that he remained "completely unrepentant" about the Christmas Day operation, despite some criticism from provincial council leaders. |
| The Ministry of Defence said it had "long recognised" the importance of investing properly in the armed forces at home and abroad. | |
| The defence budget had "steadily risen" by an extra £3.7bn over the last three years, a spokesman said. | |
| He added: "We are constantly investing in new equipment, medical care and accommodation. | |
| "Last year alone, we spent more than £700m on improvements to service housing, announced the introduction of a new £2,240 operational bonus and invested millions more in new equipment, including body armour and armoured vehicles." |