Willie Rennie visits Iraq

1.36.21pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Jul 2007

I left for Iraq with a significant degree of trepidation as my visit with five Members of the House of Commons Defence Committee came only a week after the tragic deaths of Privates Scott Kennedy from Oakley and Jamie Kerr from Cowdenbeath.

To avoid hostile fire our sharp descent into Basrah Air Base was an indicator of more to come. Donned with body armour, helmet and gas mask in hand we made our way swiftly from aircraft to armoured jeep.

Over our two days in Basrah we had briefings with a range of local commanders of our forces as well as the Iraq 10th Division, local politicians and our troops. I was also keen to learn about the IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) that killed Privates Kennedy and Kerr and the extensive counter measures our forces had at their disposal to stop these brutal attacks.

Three times on our first night we hit the deck because of incoming rockets. Over the last year 90% of the attacks in the South East of Iraq were on British troops. It's very different from when we first arrived four years ago when our forces were able to patrol the streets of Basrah wearing soft hats. It's quite clear that our presence is now part of the problem not the solution.

There is a credible analysis that the inter Shia violence is self limiting as they factions understand that too much mutual destruction would only clear the way for Sunnis to step into the vacuum and access the rich oil resources in the south. I believe we should speedily hand over Basrah to Provincial Iraqi Control, as we have done in three other provinces in the South East, and then get out. Staying won't help the Iraqis and it could cost more lives of our troops. It's time to start an orderly withdrawal for our troops.

After Basrah it was Baghdad for the day by plane then helicopter. Baghdad is different. The conflict is primarily sectarian although the coalition's Green Zone faces daily attacks also. Even though the United States have adopted new, more subtle and sensitive doctrines and tactics it seems all too late. Little post invasion preparation followed by four years of crass and clumsy tactics have built up huge mistrust amongst the local population. Together with stoking by Iran and the activities of al Qaeda the situation in and around Baghdad is extremely dangerous.

I am skeptical as to whether the US surge, with an additional 30,000 troops, will succeed in creating the desired peace for political progress. Whilst it will undoubtedly have some effect is may simply force the troubles elsewhere in Iraq. There is some hope though - even if it is slim. In the Anbar province the local tribal leaders have had enough of al Qaeda and are now siding with the Iraqi Government and the coalition forces. Whether this can be replicated in other parts of Iraq remains to be seen.

Securing peace in Iraq will not be easy but the least that is required is a strong Iraqi police and armed forces combined with compromise, reconciliation and consensus between the different politicians, peoples and sections of Iraq.

In our various meetings US Ambassador Ryan Crocker was overshadowed by US Forces Chief General Petraeus who was intelligent, open and alert. Prime Minister Maliki was reserved and understated but statesmanlike. We didn't meet President Talabani as his house had been hit in a mortar attack earlier that day. The fate of Iraq lies with these four good men. There are no easy options for them.

In a Carry on up the Khyber moment a mortar landed close by making the Ambassador's residence shudder and the chandeliers shake. Whilst the committee looked around nervously the UK Ambassador didn't even blink and later explained that we need not have worried as it was always going over the top!

The perspective gained from experiencing the conditions, listening to our troops and reading the body language when quizzing the Iraqi politicians and our military chiefs is priceless and is something that cannot be gleaned no matter how many reports are read or briefings attended in this country.

These visits are also an opportunity to thank our troops. I am always impressed by their professionalism. Coping with on average five rocket attacks each day in searing temperatures of up to 60 degrees centigrade whilst many of your colleagues are either killed or injured takes a certain type of person. We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.