LONDON (AFP) — Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised an inquiry into the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath to "learn all possible lessons" in a letter to a think-tank chief, The Independent reported Monday.
Brown, who has previously acknowledged that "mistakes" were made in the planning of post-war Iraq, reportedly insisted, however, that it was not the right time to hold such an inquiry as the situation there remained "fragile".
In his letter to Sunder Katwala, the general secretary of the left-wing Fabian Society, which is affiliated to the Labour Party, Brown wrote: "There is a need to learn all possible lessons from the military action in Iraq and its aftermath."
He also wrote in the letter, seen by The Independent: "There will come a time when it is appropriate to hold an inquiry."
"But whilst the whole effort of the government and the armed forces is directed towards supporting the people and government of Iraq as they forge a future based on reconciliation, democracy, prosperity and security, we believe that is not now."
He added: "Despite the progress made on the security, economic and political fronts in Iraq, the situation remains fragile and could easily be reversed. At this critical time it is therefore vital that the government does not divert attention from supporting Iraq's development as a secure and stable country."
According to a poll conducted by Channel 4 for the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq, more than two thirds of people surveyed thought coalition forces should leave.
Britain has about 4,100 soldiers deployed there, most of whom are outside the southern city of Basra.
Brown's predecessor Tony Blair had said while in office that an inquiry was not needed as four previous reports, all with varying scopes and mandates, had already examined the background to the war.
Over the weekend, thousands of protesters gathered in London and Glasgow ahead of the anniversary of the invasion, calling for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, where about 7,800 British soldiers are stationed.
Police in London said there were 10,000 on the streets for the march, and Strathclyde Police told AFP that there were between 1,000 and 1,500 protesters at the height of the march in Glasgow.
An estimated one million demonstrators marched through the streets of the capital about a month before the war in 2003.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
