Jackson on Iraq: 'too early to call'
Updated on 19 March 2008
Was it worth it? former head of the British Army General Sir Mike Jackson gives his verdict on the legacy of the Iraq war, as part of our series of viewpoints from social and political voices.
Watch Sir Mike Jackson give his verdict
Read a transcript of Jackson's verdict
"There are a lot of people trying to come to judgements right now: it didn't work, it was never going to work.
"I think it's too early to call. The task of defeating Saddam Hussein's armed forces was a relatively simple one and it took a very short period of time: three weeks.
"But to rebuild Iraq, to move Iraq on, is something you can't do in three weeks, or even three years, or even five perhaps. And in my opinion it is too soon to call, this one.
"Iraq is blessed with mineral wealth, oil and gas, the two great rivers, an educated and energetic population. I believe myself we are seeing now and have been seeing recently, some new politics between Sunni and Shi'a which are to the good.
"So it's soon to call it in my view and I would like to think that in another five years time the soul-searching that is being done now will be seen to have been somewhat overplayed."
More voices
To see all the voices - including General Sir Mike Jackson, George Galloway, Peter Oborne and Inayat Bunglawala - give their verdict on the legacy of the Iraq war, click on the image below. Click on the image below
