Blair faces revolt from lawmakers
October 20, 2004 - 9:44PM; AAP

Prime Minister Tony Blair has faced a revolt by lawmakers over a US request to redeploy some British troops closer to Baghdad. Forty-five lawmakers, including 44 members of the governing Labour Party, have signed a motion insisting the House of Commons should be allowed to vote on whether the request is granted. Many are suspicious the request is politically motivated and designed to bolster US President George W Bush before presidential elections on November 2. "We are about to enter a period of increased activity in Iraq. This is nothing to do with the American elections," Blair told the House of Commons. "It has everything to do with the Iraqi elections in January."

"I believe we are right to be in Iraq," Blair added. "I think the stabilisation of Iraq and bringing democracy to that country is in the interests of this country." American military commanders asked Britain on October 10 to reposition a small number of soldiers, now stationed in southern Iraq, to the US-controlled sector farther north, to free up American soldiers to step up their assault on insurgents. The government has not said how many troops might be redeployed, or to where. But military sources have said that if the request was granted, Britain's reserve regiment, the 650-strong First Battalion Black Watch, which is stationed near the southern port city of Basra, would be the obvious choice....
© 2004 AP