Mr Browne was speaking during a visit to the southern Iraqi city yesterday, Thursday 22 May 2008, where he was able to see for himself the progress which has been made in the city as Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) consolidate their control of what was previously a militia stronghold.
After a series of briefings with key staff at Headquarters Multi-National Division (South East), Mr Browne took a short helicopter flight to the Basra Operations Centre, located at the former Shatt al’Arab Hotel. There he joined soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland for a drive into the city in a Mastiff vehicle.
Demonstrating just how much the security situation in the area has improved, Mr Browne took a walk around the al’Janinah area of the city, talking with local residents as he walked a route through a typical neighbourhood. Market stalls, craftsmen and shoppers were all in evidence in this previously hazardous area.
He rounded off his stroll by enjoying a cup of tea at a local café where local people were more than happy to approach the gathering, allowing a light hearted exchange to take place between the visitors and residents:
"As I walked through Basra’s streets today, chatting to people, it was clear to everyone that Basra is a transformed city," Mr Browne said. "I felt an enormous sense of pride in what the Iraqi forces have achieved with our help.
"Mid-afternoon I sat in a Basra street café and had a cup of tea with General Mohammed Juwad Huwaidi, commander of the Iraqi forces in Basra. All around us were the signs of a city returning to normality – shop keepers working away, women walking around wearing head scarves and children playing on their bikes.
"This is my ninth visit to Basra in the past two years and in that time there have been highs and there have been lows. I have seen progress and I have seen that progress stall. But never have I seen the Iraqi Army operating with such confidence and enjoying such support from the local people. This would not have been possible without the hard work of the British military.
Mr Browne also emphasised the importance of building on recent successes:
"Our focus now must be on building on this progress and consolidating the considerable gains that have been made – through reconstruction, improved governance and economic development."
Operation Charge of the Knights, which began in March, has been one of the key drivers in bringing peace and stability to the streets of Basra in recent weeks. Elements of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Service, with their US and UK Military Transition Teams (MiTTs), can now be seen working in the city. The MiTTs are working closely with the Iraqi Security Forces and local contractors as pavements are replaced, sewers cleared and rubbish removed from the streets and Mr Browne had the opportunity to see all this first hand.
UK military operations in Iraq are being conducted under the name 'Operation Telic'. The UK troops operate as part of a coalition called the Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I) alongside troops from 25 other nations. The coalition remains at the formal request of the Iraqi Government, under a mandate from the United Nations, as set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1790.