Britons promised "good news" on Iraq withdrawal ( Straw )

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060201/ts_nm/iraq_britain_death1_dc_4

LONDON (Reuters) - Foreign Minister Jack Straw told Britons on Wednesday to expect "good news" in the coming year regarding the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq.

The day after the 100th British soldier died in Iraq, he said Britain was actively looking at ways to get its soldiers home.

"(We are in) active discussions about how we draw down our troops on a province-by-province basis as we and the Iraqi government are convinced that it is safe for them and for us to do so," Straw told BBC Radio.

"I think we'll see, over the next 12 months, some good news in that respect."

Britain has about 8,000 troops in Iraq, based in and around the southern port of Basra. Commanders say the area has become more dangerous over the past 8-9 months as guerrillas have developed deadlier forms of roadside bombs.

The deployment has not been popular among Britons, many of whom have consistently opposed the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Lot of "if" "but" and "maybe" :eyes: