Out by spring - a timetable emerges for Iraq - Guardian Unlimited

" · Beckett says Iraqis will be ready to take over in Basra · Clearest sign of UK pullout by time Blair leaves office Patrick Wintour and Richard Norton-Taylor Thursday November 23, 2006 The Guardian British soldiers patrol a street in the southern city of Basra....

Britain may hand over Basra in spring (AP)

" LONDON - British forces may hand over security responsibilities in Basra to Iraqi forces by the spring, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Wednesday. It was the first time that a government minister had set even a vague target for handing over security in Basra, but...