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UK calls up reserves for Iraq war
LONDON, England -- Britain is calling up reservists to take part in possible military operations against the Iraqi regime of President Saddam Hussein. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told parliament about 1,500 reservists would initially be mobilized to support all three armed forces -- but more would be called up if necessary. They are expected to provide a host of crucial back-up services in any future conflict in the Gulf and could include intelligence and medical support. And he announced a flotilla of Royal Navy ships, including aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and helicopter carrier HMS Ocean and destroyers Liverpool, Edinburgh and York, would be heading to the Gulf region. "I have today made an order for the callout of reservists for possible operations against Iraq," he told the British Parliament. "I have also authorised the deployment of a number of [naval] units later this month...that will comprise a significant amphibious capability." Hoon told the House of Commons that the deployments were contingency planning and did not mean war with Iraq was inevitable. "As long as Saddam's compliance is in doubt the threat of force must remain and it must be real." One section of the UK's reserve force that expects to be involved if the call-up comes is the 3 (Volunteer) Military Intelligence Battalion, the UK's national wire agency, the Press Association said. Its members are highly skilled in the art of analysing raw information and turning it into usable intelligence and have been involved in previous conflicts, including Afghanistan CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley said the number of 1,500 reservists announced by Hoon was smaller than expected, having been led to believe that 7,000 would be called up. But it was part of the slow build-up of a task force heading for the Gulf, he said, adding: "Despite Britain's call to reservists, ministers say this does not mean war is inevitable. It is all part of putting pressure on Saddam Hussein. "(Blair's) message is that you have got to be there with your troops when the crunch comes and America can't be left to face the world's biggest problems alone. He is saying it is vitally in Britain's interests to remain the best ally of the U.S." Hoon was careful to say that January 27, the date when weapons inspectors are set to report their findings on Iraq to the U.N. Security Council, was not an inevitable date for any action.
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