[A-List] US imperialism: Britain

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

General puts battle plans to UK military

Richard Norton-Taylor
Wednesday February 26, 2003
The Guardian

The American general who will command British and US forces in a war against
Iraq presented his latest battle plans to military chiefs in London
yesterday.

General Tommy Franks, head of US central command, held talks with Admiral
Sir Michael Boyce, chief of the defence staff, about the military objectives
of an attack on Iraq.

They are far more complicated than the 1991 Gulf war when the aim was simply
to get Iraqi forces out of Kuwait, defence officials say. The difficulties
are compounded, they add, because the military objectives depend on the
political ones, which differ from country to country and range from
disarmament to toppling Saddam Hussein.

Military planners want a clear objective and to know whether a pre-emptive
attack on Iraq is within the bounds of international law.

Gen Franks will have talks today in Qatar with the British defence secretary
Geoff Hoon.

Gen Franks is also expected to meet Air Marshal Brian Burridge who will
command British forces in any war. He will take orders from Gen Franks but
UK commanders will be able to hold up a "red card" and seek advice from Mr
Blair or Mr Hoon if they disagree with their orders.