This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/5358654.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Taleban fight 'hard but winnable' | Taleban fight 'hard but winnable' |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| The threat posed by the Taleban in Afghanistan has been under-estimated, the UK defence secretary has admitted. | The threat posed by the Taleban in Afghanistan has been under-estimated, the UK defence secretary has admitted. |
| Des Browne said the fight had been "even harder than we expected" but insisted Nato was pursuing a "noble cause" and its mission would succeed. | Des Browne said the fight had been "even harder than we expected" but insisted Nato was pursuing a "noble cause" and its mission would succeed. |
| Addressing the Royal United Services Institute, he urged other Nato members to respond to a call for 2,500 extra troops for Afghanistan. | Addressing the Royal United Services Institute, he urged other Nato members to respond to a call for 2,500 extra troops for Afghanistan. |
| The Nato force in the southern Helmand province includes some 4,000 UK troops. | The Nato force in the southern Helmand province includes some 4,000 UK troops. |
| "Nato nations must decide whether to back their investment, re-affirm their original intent and send a clear signal that Nato as an alliance is strong and determined to see the task through," Mr Browne said. | "Nato nations must decide whether to back their investment, re-affirm their original intent and send a clear signal that Nato as an alliance is strong and determined to see the task through," Mr Browne said. |
| If we cannot persuade them to put down their guns, then we will struggle to make progress, and there will be a real danger that their deaths will motivate others Des Browne, Defence Secretary Quick guide: Taleban | If we cannot persuade them to put down their guns, then we will struggle to make progress, and there will be a real danger that their deaths will motivate others Des Browne, Defence Secretary Quick guide: Taleban |
| Poland has already announced it will send 1,000 extra soldiers to Afghanistan next February, joining 100 already on the ground. | Poland has already announced it will send 1,000 extra soldiers to Afghanistan next February, joining 100 already on the ground. |
| Meanwhile, Canada has promised its contribution to the Nato force will remain in Afghanistan. | Meanwhile, Canada has promised its contribution to the Nato force will remain in Afghanistan. |
| Foreign Minister Peter MacKay made the pledge after four Canadian soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber on Monday. Its 2,500-strong contingent is to be reinforced by an extra 200 soldiers and tanks. | |
| Dutch, Danish, Estonian and US troops are also currently in the south. | |
| 'Worth it' | 'Worth it' |
| Mr Browne said critics who cited the failure of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s and the British in the 1800s did not understand the nature of the mission. | Mr Browne said critics who cited the failure of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s and the British in the 1800s did not understand the nature of the mission. |
| "We are not invading," Mr Browne said. "We are there at the invitation of a government which has legitimacy and support." | "We are not invading," Mr Browne said. "We are there at the invitation of a government which has legitimacy and support." |
| Mr Browne said security in the north and west of the country had brought "real change" with new schools and hospitals, more jobs and the return of refugees. | Mr Browne said security in the north and west of the country had brought "real change" with new schools and hospitals, more jobs and the return of refugees. |
| But he acknowledged "relatively little progress" had been made in the south, the traditional Taleban heartland and the area where most of Afghanistan's opium production is concentrated. | But he acknowledged "relatively little progress" had been made in the south, the traditional Taleban heartland and the area where most of Afghanistan's opium production is concentrated. |
| About 4,000 British soldiers are based in southern Afghanistan | About 4,000 British soldiers are based in southern Afghanistan |
| "Success won't be what we understand to be security and prosperity and proper governance but it will be progress and it will be massively worth it," he said. | "Success won't be what we understand to be security and prosperity and proper governance but it will be progress and it will be massively worth it," he said. |
| But he added: "The Taleban's tenacity in the face of massive losses has been a surprise, absorbing more of our effort than we predicted it would and consequently slowing progress on reconstruction." | But he added: "The Taleban's tenacity in the face of massive losses has been a surprise, absorbing more of our effort than we predicted it would and consequently slowing progress on reconstruction." |
| UK troops have been involved in heavy fighting with the Taleban after taking over from a US-led coalition in southern Afghanistan in July. | UK troops have been involved in heavy fighting with the Taleban after taking over from a US-led coalition in southern Afghanistan in July. |
| This month 19 servicemen have lost their lives, including 14 who died when an RAF Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft crashed. | This month 19 servicemen have lost their lives, including 14 who died when an RAF Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft crashed. |
| 'Diplomatic efforts' | 'Diplomatic efforts' |
| Mr Browne said the Taleban were adept at forming "alliances of convenience" with drug barons and criminal gangs who recruited foot soldiers from among Afghan tribesmen. | Mr Browne said the Taleban were adept at forming "alliances of convenience" with drug barons and criminal gangs who recruited foot soldiers from among Afghan tribesmen. |
| They always hoped that it would not be quite as bad as it turned out to be Liam Fox, shadow home secretary | They always hoped that it would not be quite as bad as it turned out to be Liam Fox, shadow home secretary |
| "If we cannot persuade them to put down their guns, then we will struggle to make progress, and there will be a real danger that their deaths will motivate others to join the fight, and potentially turn this into a conflict of a different kind," Mr Browne said. | "If we cannot persuade them to put down their guns, then we will struggle to make progress, and there will be a real danger that their deaths will motivate others to join the fight, and potentially turn this into a conflict of a different kind," Mr Browne said. |
| "But I do not believe we are at that stage." | "But I do not believe we are at that stage." |
| He said Nato's progress rested on convincing ordinary people to "back peace, to back the view of the future represented by the Afghan government". | He said Nato's progress rested on convincing ordinary people to "back peace, to back the view of the future represented by the Afghan government". |
| After the speech, Mr Browne called on neighbouring Pakistan to do more to prevent insurgents crossing into Afghanistan. | After the speech, Mr Browne called on neighbouring Pakistan to do more to prevent insurgents crossing into Afghanistan. |
| Later, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox told the BBC a "major diplomatic effort" involving the prime minister and foreign secretary was needed to put pressure on the UK's Nato allies to supply troops. | Later, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox told the BBC a "major diplomatic effort" involving the prime minister and foreign secretary was needed to put pressure on the UK's Nato allies to supply troops. |
| Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore suggested more British soldiers may have to be sent if Nato's request went unheeded. | Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore suggested more British soldiers may have to be sent if Nato's request went unheeded. |
Are you or is someone in your family serving in Afghanistan? Send us your comments. | Are you or is someone in your family serving in Afghanistan? Send us your comments. |