I am a serving member of the armed forces and a para with 16 air assault bde. there is truth behind the comments that he made. While out in Afghan my unit on several occasions had to rely on the Americans because the UK has not enough aircraft in theatre. It is a known fact that there are more helicopters in N.Ireland than Afghan. Speaking to those that were in Iraq, the honey moon between us and the Iraqi people is long over.

If we were ever going to be succesfull in this sort of conflict. our soldiers needed more than canvas, carbines and courage.

I doubt Bush will allow Blair to take our boys out of Iraq.

Keith, lincoln