LONDON, Oct 18 - A British reconnaissance team will provide the British government with information needed to make a decision on a US military request to bolster central areas of Iraq, Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said Monday.
The team's mission on Tuesday is to "assess the area where British forces might be deployed to if we agree to this American request, report back to the (army) chiefs who in turn will formulate appropriate military advice for ministers to take the decision," Hoon told the BBC.
Hoon also stressed that any decision to redeploy British troops from southern Iraq to the more violent central areas would be for military, not political reasons.
A decision is expected by mid-week, though Hoon hinted his government was leaning toward meeting the US request.
When asked earlier in parliament about the consequences of refusing the US request, Hoon replied there would be no penalty but "we will have failed in our duty as an ally and as a country that has closely supported the United States."
When the BBC interviewer suggested the statement meant the decision had been taken, Hoon said: "It doesn't. It emphasises the importance of this being a military request..."
Asked if the southern area around Basra risked being overexposed if some British troops are redeployed, he said there were more than enough troops in the area.
"For the moment we do not need that reserve," he said.
He said he "can understand" British concerns about a possible new deployment in a more dangerous area of Iraq, but added that the public really want to see Iraq become secure and democratic elections take place.