It's tea with the Iraqis for Bolton bridge building major

Major Richard Wallwork from the 7th Para Royal Horse Artillery and his British Army delegation were taking part in the first meeting of its kind in the city.

It was held at the former home of the local Iraqi army commander.

The Iraqis sat on rugs, with their shoes off and crossed-legged. Major Wallwork and his colleagues sat alongside their Iraqi hosts -- but were allowed to keep their shoes on. Up to 40 men were crammed into a downstairs room of the now deserted home.

Hot sweet tea was served to the Army officers and the most senior Iraqi community figures.

Major Wallwork emphasised that the troops were there to help and not to fight.

However, he expressed concern about the amount of weapons local people had in their homes and urged them not to carry them while walking the streets.

He also warned that if any of his men were threatened then he would take strongest action to protect them.

The Iraqis responded by saying they were tired after 30 years of war.

They asked for soldiers not to go into the city because there was a holy mosque there and said that the town was being run and policed by local people. The arms were only there for protection, they said.

The Iraqis also requested electricity and medical assistance.

Major Wallwork said: "That was our first meeting with local tribal leaders. It was important to establish a good understanding and working relationship early on.

"We have to build up trust if we are to achieve our aims of establishing an Iraq free from the terror of Saddam Hussein.

"There is a power vacuum and we are here to provide security while they get their society back on track.

"We are here to help them re-establish their basic infrastructure, such as getting the electricity working again and also to have humanitarian aid delivered. We also want the local school open as soon as possible.

"This operation shows how versatile the soldiers are, they have gone from the intensity of fighting a war to providing peace support.

"The artillery guns have been put away and we are here to help the local people."

Christian Aid announced that a team of its workers were heading for Basra today to give out water and essential medical supplies.

Major Wallwork outlined to the town's leaders what the British Army was doing in the town and what help he expected from them.

But he expressed concern about the amount of firearms being carried openly on the streets and warned that if threatened his men would take strongest action to protect themselves.

The Iraqi leaders told the British soldiers that they were tired after 30 years of war.

They urged the army chiefs not to send soldiers into the city itself because of a holy mosque in the vicinity and insisted that the town was being run and policed by local people.

The Iraqi contingent said that the arms carried on the streets were for protection only.

There was also a request for electricity and medical assistance. A list of demands was also presented which they asked should be given to the British military high command.

These included the lifting of sanctions, no foreign ruler and respect for Iraq's religious and cultural leanings.

As the British soldiers left the meeting they were approached by a father who said he son had throat cancer and asked for help. Army commanders promised they would try to see what they could do.

Major Wallwork said: "That was our first meeting with local tribal leaders. It was important to establish a good understanding and working relationship early on.

"It was also important to establish a few ground rules and find out what they want from us and vice versa.

"We have to build up trust if we are to achieve our aims of establishing an Iraq free from the terror of Saddam Hussein.

"There is a power vacuum and we are here to provide security while they get their society back on track.

"We are here to help them re-establish their basic infrastructure, such as getting the electricity working again and also to have humanitarian aid delivered. We also want the local school open as soon as possible.

"This operation shows how versatile the soldiers are, they have gone from the intensity of fighting a war to providing peace support."

He added: "The artillery guns have been put away and we are here to help the local people."