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| Iraq |
| British get tough in Basra |
| 2003-04-14 |
| The British military has moved to a policy of zero tolerance on looting in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, according to a senior British military spokesman on Monday. Group Captain Al Lockwood told Reuters at Central Command headquarters in Qatar that looting and violence had slowly been reduced in the city in the last few days. "The tolerance level that we had has gone. We're very much looking to maintain law and order," Lockwood said, adding that British forces had started joint patrols with local police in Iraq's second biggest city. "The general looting that followed in subsequent days will now no longer be tolerated. Law and order will be maintained," he added. Capt. Abdul Amir Qasim, a 32-year police force veteran had stayed away from work as Basra was being overrun by looters, ''We wanted to protect the city from the pillaging but I was afraid,'' he said. ''By the grace of God, I am now ready to go back to work.'' Restoring a municipal police force is a key first step in helping Basra regain its footing, said Wasfie al-Kanani, an ex-army officer who has emerged as one of the main local figures advising British officers. ''I don't care who was here from before or what he did. If he was not good, the others will judge him later,'' he said. ''For now, we need to show people that order is back. I saw my city being torn apart. People were demolishing the city for nothing. My priority is to help bring the city back to normal and restore order. It will take time, but we have that now.'' |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |