May 11, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8, 1424

LONDON, May 10: Queen Elizabeth has made it known that she is not in favour of a “victory march” for British troops returning from Iraq, a British newspaper reported on Saturday.

“The Queen will be prepared to lead the nation at a commemoration service for British servicemen who died (in Iraq), but would hesitate to take part in any victory parade,” the Times said, citing Buckingham Palace sources.

“We will be happy to participate in what the defence ministry feels is appropriate,” said a palace spokeswoman, adding: “At the moment that seems to be moving towards a service of thanksgiving.”

British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s office said on Friday that the defence ministry had been charged with the delicate task of organizing a church service to mark the end of hostilities in Iraq.

The thanksgiving service would involve Britain’s royal family, Blair, military top brass and the families of those who died.

Victory over Saddam Hussain’s regime would not be celebrated in the triumphalist manner seen in 1982 when a full-scale military parade took place in London after Britain overcame Argentine forces in the Falklands war.

The Times recalled that the Queen and 14 members of the royal family had attended the religious ceremony at Saint Paul’s cathedral in London following the Falklands war but had stayed away from the victory march.

After the 1990-1991 Gulf War, in contrast, the Queen took part in a parade, flanked by the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the crown prince of Kuwait. —AFP