David Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary has stated that the war in Afghanistan is “not a war without end”, in a recent speech to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh.
Miliband’s Speech and NATO Summit
Miliband spoke the day after British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown on Nov. 17, 2009. Miliband stated that all resources, both military and civilian had to be positioned behind a “clear political strategy”. The Foreign Secretary also expressed that “"We cannot leave a vacuum which the Taliban will fill."
Miliband revealed that, if necessary, Britain was ready to send more soldiers to Afghanistan “on the basis of an agreed strategy.” He also spoke of an idea to reintegrate Taliban fighters back into Afghan society and emphasised the need to reassure the Afghan public that they face a stable future.
"Less than 5 per cent of Afghans want the Taliban back. This is our greatest strength. But they fear that the international community will tire of the war and the Taliban will return, inflicting brutal retribution on those who 'collaborated' with the government," Miliband said in his speech.
Gordon Brown’s NATO Assembly Speech
In his speech on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that the hand-over of Afghan districts to local security forces could take place as early as next year.
On Nov. 10, 2009, Brown signalled the beginning of the end of Britain’s occupation in Afghanistan by saying in a speech that “we will transfer authority district by district” in reference to parts of Helmand Province. Brown’s declaration comes as U.S. President Barack Obama continues to deliberate over his strategy in the country and whether or not to send a large number of American forces.
The Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged nations to send more soldiers to Afghanistan to aid the mission. Rasmussen also made it clear that “al-Qaeda would be back in a flash” if countries began to turn their backs on the country.
It was commented by The Times that the speech was part of the British government’s justification of the war in Afghanistan. A recent poll suggested that public support for the war fallen and 64 per cent of the British public think that the war in Afghanistan is "unwinnable” (see British Army to Retreat in Afghanistan).
British Policy in Afghanistan
Gordon Brown has recently been facing more and more criticism over his handling of the war in Afghanistan amid rising casualties figures.
Earlier in November 2009, it was stated that the British government would be increasing the number of Chinook helicopters by making an emergency purchase of 30 helicopters.
The deaths of a number of soldiers has been blamed on the lack of helicopters.
Miliband stated in his speech the need to support Afghan President Hamid Karzai amid corruption allegations and recognized that the majority of Taliban fighter’s commitment is to “tribe and locality” as opposed to a “global jihad”
Sources:
BBC News
The Guardian
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