Look at all the "known killers" that were let out of NI jails, in order to secure the Good Friday Agreement and bring peace to that troubled province. Some of them even went on to a political career. Reconciliation was the by-word. This happened in S Africa too, Mandella's famous and laudible "Peace & Reconciliation" deal. Why, weren't one or two of Israel's prime ministers once terrorists/killers? Look at Gadaffi, a sponsor of terr. - now all hands are creeping round him as a nice guy. This is Politique Real, n'est pas?

>This from the link below concerns me:
>
>The lawyer for a Briton held without trial in Basra detailed a number of secret meetings where the British agreed to a phased release of militants, including known killers.
>
>The Ministry of Defence denied any such deal but a senior defence source said secret talks mediated by the Iraqi special police had been “going on for weeks” to ensure a safe withdrawal from Basra Palace.
>
>
>>>>I'm surprised to see no-one's had a pop at us "give up monkeys" for vacating Basra.
>>>>
>>>>It'll be interestuing to see if the violence now abates (I think c. 90% of attacks were against Tommy and the base was under attack most of the time).
>>>>
>>>>I've an idea that GW is keeping a weather eye on proceedings, now that he's hinted that there may be a reduction in GIs.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article2368539.ece
>>>>
>>>>Let's hope we all withdraw and save any more of our lads from buying it, both armies.
>>>
>>>I believe Aegis Defence Services still has the largest contract in Iraq and HART and ArmorGroup are still there so I don't think the sun is setting on that part of the empire. <s>
>>
>>Well I didn't know of their existence before now, can find LOADS of citations for HART (like English town organisations) and Armor Group are international.
>>
>>>
>>>( wouldn't be at all surprised if a few SAS are still running around Anbar as well )