Brown Vows to Follow UK Policy on Iraq
By 'Pakistan Times' UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): A voice has started surfacing in UK urging Mr. Gordon Brown, the new Labour Party leader, who takes-over as British Prime Minister on June-27 to withdraw British troops from Iraq.

Yet, Mr. Brown, by now seems determined to peruse the policy of Mr. Tony Blair as the key ally on the United States on war in Iraq.

Reports say that there are now fresh calls from within the Labour Party for Gordon Brown to distance himself from President Bush on Iraq.

It comes amid reports that Washington has warned the US President to brace himself for the possible loss of his key ally.

And, a report by British media suggests that White House officials have been told to expect an announcement on British troop withdrawals from Mr Brown during his first 100 days in power.

This would be designed to boost his popularity with the British electorate.

The question of where Brown should position himself on Iraq comes as the six contenders for the deputy leadership go head to head in a hustings in Coventry.

It follows former US President Jimmy Carter's attack on Tony Blair for his "blind" support of George Bush in the Iraq war.

Jimmy Carter - a Democrat who was in the White House from 1977-81 - said it had been a "major tragedy for the world".

Six candidates for the Labour Party's deputy leadership made speeches and answered public questions on topics which included anti-social behaviour and the National Health Service at an event.

Mr. Gordon Brown, who is to take over as prime minister on June 27, was heckled by an anti-war protester as he addressed the event in Coventry.

A woman yelled "Get the troops out now", but was immediately escorted out.

As the Chancellor began to describe his humility at becoming Labour leader, the protester stood up and began to chant "Gordon Brown get the troops out".

As the officials led the lady away, Mr Brown said that he would be taking questions later.

He continued his speech, saying that taking over the top job was a "chance to implement the values" of the Labour Party.

He added that he felt very humbled today.

Outside the event around 60 protesters from the Coventry ‘Stop The War Coalition’ continued a noisy protest as they handed a petition around Warwick University campus.

In a question and answer session later, most of the questions were related to Iraq.

Mr Brown said he accepted that Iraq was a "divisive and difficult" issue but he remained firm in his resolve that the right decisions were made when the UK entered the war.

He said the government was working with the people of Iraq to enable them to run their own security, but did not place a timescale on when British involvement might end.●