Iraqis demonstrate against British troops in Basra

BASRA, Iraq – Hundreds of Iraqis, including policemen in uniform, protested yesterday against the presence of British troops in the southern city of Basra after a police station was stormed to free two British soldiers.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, meanwhile, was to hold talks in London, where public concern has been on the rise over Britain’s deployment in southern Iraq. “We condemn the illegal acts of British troops,” read a banner carried by the demonstrators, who numbered around 300, gathered outside Basra’s main police headquarters.”No, no to the occupier,” they chanted, carrying banners which called for the return of the two soldiers to face Iraqi justice, while British troops who patrol the port city kept out of sight.US-led coalition troops are not subject to Iraqi law.The demonstrators handed in a list of demands to the police headquarters, including the resignation of the provincial police chief, accusing him of being “an agent” of the British.”The British promised us sovereignty.So where is this sovereignty if they destroy a police station?” asked one demonstrator.The demonstration ended peacefully after their demands were delivered for British troops to hand back the two soldiers to be tried in an Iraqi court, along with compensation for the damaged police station.British forces on Monday stormed the station to free the two soldiers, who were arrested by police after a shooting incident in the town.The two bearded men had apparently been working undercover as they were wearing Arab clothing and driving a civilian car at the time of arrest.The storming of the police station followed a riot in which demonstrators firebombed two British armoured cars.After ramming their way into the police station, British troops found the two soldiers had been spirited away by Shiite militiamen and taken to a safe house.A second raid was then mounted on the house and the soldiers released.- Nampa-AFP”We condemn the illegal acts of British troops,” read a banner carried by the demonstrators, who numbered around 300, gathered outside Basra’s main police headquarters.”No, no to the occupier,” they chanted, carrying banners which called for the return of the two soldiers to face Iraqi justice, while British troops who patrol the port city kept out of sight.US-led coalition troops are not subject to Iraqi law.The demonstrators handed in a list of demands to the police headquarters, including the resignation of the provincial police chief, accusing him of being “an agent” of the British.”The British promised us sovereignty.So where is this sovereignty if they destroy a police station?” asked one demonstrator.The demonstration ended peacefully after their demands were delivered for British troops to hand back the two soldiers to be tried in an Iraqi court, along with compensation for the damaged police station.British forces on Monday stormed the station to free the two soldiers, who were arrested by police after a shooting incident in the town.The two bearded men had apparently been working undercover as they were wearing Arab clothing and driving a civilian car at the time of arrest.The storming of the police station followed a riot in which demonstrators firebombed two British armoured cars.After ramming their way into the police station, British troops found the two soldiers had been spirited away by Shiite militiamen and taken to a safe house.A second raid was then mounted on the house and the soldiers released.- Nampa-AFP