The incident saw violent clashes
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The UK Government is willing to pay compensation for the casualties
and damage caused in Iraq when two British undercover soldiers were
freed.
During clashes on 19 September, the Army stormed a Basra police station.
The British consulate and a committee of Basra's council
issued a statement announcing the offer and expressing regret at the
casualties.
British opposition MPs voiced concern at the move, stressing support for the actions of UK troops.
Several Iraqis were killed or wounded when the police station walls were knocked down, and in a demonstration in Basra.
'Valid claims'
The joint statement said: "We regret the incidents that took place in Basra on 19 September 2005 at the Serious Crimes Unit.
"We also regret the casualties on both sides and the material damage to public facilities.
"The British government is prepared to pay valid claims
for compensation for casualties and material damage in the
well-established manner."
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This incident and other shooting incidents are subject to stringent official review
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The local council in Basra had demanded compensation and
an apology before it would agree to resume co-operation with British
forces.
Joint patrols between the British Army and local police have since been curtailed.
The statement expressed full support for the "dignity of
the institutions and people of the Governorate of Basra and the
sovereignty of Iraq".
'Frank dialogue'
It said the British Government would deal with "those
connected to the events" in accordance with the laws of the former
Coalition Provisional Authority.
"This incident and other shooting incidents are subject to stringent official review.
"We hope to avoid a repetition of such incidents."
It said "frank dialogue" between UK and local government
representatives was "key to cooperation in regard to the reconstruction
of Basra and in making the necessary security arrangements for
achieving the democratic process in Iraq".
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It is quite extraordinary that the British Government should today make this apparently conflicting statement.
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The statement came three weeks after UK armoured
vehicles destroyed the walls of Basra's police station, sparking
violent protests.
Shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram said that the Government appeared to be contradicting itself.
"In light of the strong support that John Reid offered
yesterday for the actions taken by British troops in this very
incident, it is quite extraordinary that the British Government should
today make this apparently conflicting statement.
"We urgently need to know, what is the Government's true position?"
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Sir Menzies Campbell said the announcement was "entirely political in nature".
"Compensation is being offered in an effort to ensure that co-operation by the civilian authorities is restored," he said.
"The senior British commander had no option but to take
robust steps to rescue the two British soldiers whose lives were
obviously at risk."
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