British Aim to Defuse Tensions With Iraqis

But this time, the dynamics on both sides were different -- far more typical of the low-key, culturally respectful dealings that have marked four months of British military occupation in southern Iraq, the Shiite Muslim heartland that was systematically repressed by former president Saddam Hussein's government.

In contrast, considerable mistrust and tension have plagued U.S. military relations with Iraqis in more hostile communities in the north, including some Sunni Muslim areas that supported Hussein and have been the targets of U.S. raids, as well as some impoverished Shiite districts whose religious leaders have been agitating against foreign occupation.

A total of 12,000 British troops are stationed in Iraq, a much smaller contingent than the U.S. force of about 140,000. Since May 1, when President Bush declared that major combat had ended in Iraq, 64 American troops have been killed in hostile action, while only 10 British forces have died at enemy hands..


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37191-2003Aug23.html

The British creating a zone of safety for Iraqis -- is this bad? Is any Brit or citizen of the world ashamed of this behavior?