Minister in Iraq (From Penarth Times)

Minister in Iraq

A PENARTH Guardsman met Rhodri Morgan when the First Minister visited British forces in Iraq.

Penarthian Christopher Rodd from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards met the Cardiff West MP during a parade at Camp Abu Naji near Al Amarah, where Mr Morgan handed out leeks to the soldiers.

The First Minister said: "Celebrating St David's Day with Welsh soldiers in Iraq has been a really emotional experience.

"It has been a major celebration with everyone wearing leeks - even little children on the streets are wearing leeks today.

"It made me feel very proud to be here on our patron saint's day.

"Our troops may be thousands of mile from home but their thoughts have been very much in Wales as they have taken part in a big St David's Day Parade followed by a special Welsh lunch of leek soup and roast lamb.

"Our soldiers are doing a fantastic job here in Southern Iraq in their peace-keeping role, and the work they are doing in terms of community regeneration and reconstruction of local infrastructure," added Mr Morgan.

"We all have every reason to feel very proud of them for the vital work they are doing here in Southern Iraq."

The minister later went by helicopter to visit troops from the Prince of Wales's Company based in the Shatt al Arab Hotel in Basrah.

He then flew on to Shaibah Logistic Base in the south of Basrah to meet fellow countrymen, including Royal Artillery soldiers from the former 22 Regiment Royal Artillery, nicknamed "The Welsh Gunners."