Hoon and Rumsfeld agree Iraq exit strategy

The United States and Britain have privately agreed an exit strategy from Iraq based on doubling the number of local police trainees and setting up Iraqi units that would act as a halfway house between the police and the army.

The agreement was reached on Monday between the US Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, and his British counterpart, Geoff Hoon.

It was based on recommendations from retired US General Gary Luck, sent to Iraq by the Pentagon last month to look at the failings of Iraq’s security force.

The more aggressive police force is designed gradually to replace the 150 000 coalition troops and will form the centrepiece of plans for Britain and the US to quit Iraq.

Although no deadline has been set for withdrawal — partly, British sources say, because it may encourage the insurgents — Britain has made a phased pull-out its top priority.

”Everything the defence secretary is working towards now is an exit strategy, but without a public timetable,” said a British military source.

Spanish and Italian forces could be asked to help train the Iraqis, a British defence source said. Thousands of troops from the multinational force would back up the Iraqi police which, at present, has a reputation for desertion in the face of the insurgency.

Although the US and Britain would like to pull out as soon as Iraq is stable, General Luck said it could be years before the Iraqi police was ready.

The Pentagon this week said it expected to maintain 150 000 troops in Iraq for at least the next two years.

Britain said on Thursday it would send 220 more soldiers to Iraq to help fill a gap left by The Netherlands which is pulling out in March.

If the build-up of reliable Iraqi security forces could be speeded up, Britain can see various staging posts for a phased withdrawal. Dates include August 15, when a Constitution is to be agreed by the assembly. By 15 December, there is due to be a new national election.

Charles Kennedy demanded a clear statement on Thursday on the future status of British troops. He called on Tony Blair to set out ”a proper exit strategy, including the phased withdrawal of British troops, as the security situation allows.”