Basra commander: Atmosphere optimistic
Thursday, 20 Mar 2008 14:16
Iraqis living in Basra no longer view British forces as an occupying power, the senior British commander in the city believes.
Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Major General Barney White-Spunner insisted a degree of optimism exists for the future.
"I think people realise that we came out of the city at the correct time and I think people realise we are here to help them. I really don't think they think we are an occupying power any more," he said on the Today programme.
"The economic potential in Basra has taken some time to realise and the economic progress has been slower than people would like, but the real economic potential in this part of the world is just fantastic," he added.