Adventures in self-government

The British government is not confirming the story, but it looks like there are witnesses. Apparently the Iraqi police arrested two British undercover agents in Basra because they "looked suspicious." When the British requested their release, the Iraqi police objected and said they wanted to continue their investigation. At this point, it seems, the British army sent tanks to the prison where the two agents were held and used them to break down the walls of the prison, freeing their agents and whatever other prisoners managed to get to the hole in the wall in time. Said British defence secretary John Reid, no doubt suppressing a giggle, "We remain committed to helping the Iraqi government for as long as they judge that a coalition presence is necessary to provide security." There may have been a subtext to his statement.