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see below statement by Group captain Al lockwood re one of Britain's responsibilities as "an occupying force", (much as he hates to use the word, I'm sure) This obviously resonates right through the UK's obligations under the Geneva Conventions Spokesman Group Captain Al Lockwood told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We certainly have obligations under international law as, much as I hate to use the word, an occupying force, to make sure there is law and order, and we will do this." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2931131.stm Last Updated: Wednesday, 9 April, 2003, 11:54 GMT 12:54 UK UK troops tackle Basra looters The British now finally control Basra British soldiers are taking the first steps to restore order to the southern Iraqi city of Basra as looting begins to subside. The move comes as coalition forces said they are planning to hold a regional conference very soon to establish political leadership for the whole of southern Iraq. British officers have been working with the remnants of Basra's police force and have asked a local cleric to set up a committee to help bring the streets under control as they start to tackle lawlessness. In one episode British soldiers foiled a raid on a bank vault, military spokesmen said. It was also reported that one looter had been stoned to death after an angry mob rounded on four men caught stealing from shops. 'Vigilante action' The incident reportedly happened in the north of the city, an area under the control of the Black Watch. Captain Jodie Smith, of the Royal Logistic Corps, which is overseeing aid delivery in the city, told a UK newspaper reporter: "Clearly we don't condone looting and or vigilante action and this incident will be thoroughly investigated." Spokesman Group Captain Al Lockwood told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We certainly have obligations under international law as, much as I hate to use the word, an occupying force, to make sure there is law and order, and we will do this." He said British forces were trying to enlist the city's police force to help restore order. The proof of the pudding has been in Umm Qasr where we turned it around in a matter of days and reduced looting dramatically Captain Cliff Dare 3 Commando Brigade Basra insecurity halts aid Troops urged to police Basra "A lot of the police have disappeared. We need to instil the confidence of the community in the remnants of the police force, that have not been tainted by Saddam Hussein's regime to come forward and work with community leaders to establish that basic law and order that is necessary to protect people's lives and property." The unnamed Shia cleric will head a committee of representative of local people and tribal groups to Basra, where the British have overcome most Iraqi resistance. Speaking exclusively to the BBC, the commander in charge of all British forces in the Gulf, Major General Robin Brims, said a regional conference would decide on a form of wider government. The delegates would be drawn from local leadership committees across the region and military sources said that it may also include leading opposition figures from abroad. The BBC's Tim Franks said it was a sign of confidence that the emerging political leadership is to be trusted. 'Fairly chaotic' In Basra, the need for effective administration has been highlighted by a desperate shortage of water, compounded by looters interrupting the supply of aid. The BBC's Hilary Andersson said there was still "huge" amounts of looting and "the city itself is fairly chaotic". She said British "policing" would involve the setting up of roadblocks, and gathering of intelligence about who is who in the local communities they are trying to control. The difficulties the British are encountering in maintaining order, despite their vast experience in Kosovo and other warzones, show the problem US forces face in Baghdad. BASRA OCCUPATION West: Black Watch, Scots Dragoon Guards, Irish Guards Centre: 2nd Royal Tank Regiment North and Docks: Royal Regiment of Fusiliers South and Palace Area: 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines Old Town (on foot): 3 Battalion of Parachute Regiment British officers said initially their main concern was making sure the last elements of opposition had been stamped out, and that they could not be expected to act as a police force. The BBC's Ben Brown said a UK commander had promised they would start arresting looters on Wednesday. Elsewhere, British forces in southern Iraq have made their furthest advance north and crossed the River Euphrates, with the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment reaching al-Qurnah. A group of newly-arrived American marines are advancing east across Iraq as a prelude to securing another supply route from Basra to Baghdad, the BBC's David Loyn said. The marines are said to be outside Amara in southern Iraq and are close to linking up with British formations. sign the pledge of resistance to the "war on terrorism" www.j-n-v.org _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk