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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| PM to defend UK's Afghan policy | PM to defend UK's Afghan policy |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown is to mount a robust defence of Britain's strategy in Afghanistan by warning al-Qaeda is the biggest threat to UK national security. | |
| He will say this year's fighting has had the greatest impact against al-Qaeda of any 12-month period since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001. | He will say this year's fighting has had the greatest impact against al-Qaeda of any 12-month period since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001. |
| The prime minister is due to speak at the Lord Mayor's banquet in the City of London on Monday evening. | The prime minister is due to speak at the Lord Mayor's banquet in the City of London on Monday evening. |
| Sunday saw the death of the 96th UK serviceman to be killed this year. | Sunday saw the death of the 96th UK serviceman to be killed this year. |
| Earlier this month, Mr Brown acknowledged that al-Qaeda is not currently operating in Afghanistan. | |
| But in his annual Guildhall foreign policy speech, he will warn that it continues to recruit and train and could return if international forces pulled out. | |
| 'On-going threat' | 'On-going threat' |
| He will say there are "several hundred" foreign fighters still based in the tribal areas of northern Pakistan, attending training camps to learn bomb-making and weapons skills. | He will say there are "several hundred" foreign fighters still based in the tribal areas of northern Pakistan, attending training camps to learn bomb-making and weapons skills. |
| The group continues to operate "an extensive recruitment network across Africa, the Middle East, western Europe and in the UK", he will warn. | The group continues to operate "an extensive recruitment network across Africa, the Middle East, western Europe and in the UK", he will warn. |
| "We are in Afghanistan because we judge that, if the Taliban regained power, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups would once more have an environment in which they could operate," he will argue. | "We are in Afghanistan because we judge that, if the Taliban regained power, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups would once more have an environment in which they could operate," he will argue. |
| Britain can lead in the construction of a new global order Gordon Brown | |
| "We are there because action in Afghanistan is not an alternative to action in Pakistan, but an inseparable support to it. | "We are there because action in Afghanistan is not an alternative to action in Pakistan, but an inseparable support to it. |
| "At every point in our history where we have looked outwards, we have become stronger. | "At every point in our history where we have looked outwards, we have become stronger. |
| "And that is why I say our foreign policy must be both patriotic and internationalist: a foreign policy that recognises and exploits Britain's unique strengths, and defends Britain's national interests strongly - not by retreating into isolation, but by advancing in international co-operation". | "And that is why I say our foreign policy must be both patriotic and internationalist: a foreign policy that recognises and exploits Britain's unique strengths, and defends Britain's national interests strongly - not by retreating into isolation, but by advancing in international co-operation". |
| In recent weeks, the prime minister has attempted to bolster public support for British forces in Afghanistan with a radio interview, a speech to military leaders and an address to the Commons. | In recent weeks, the prime minister has attempted to bolster public support for British forces in Afghanistan with a radio interview, a speech to military leaders and an address to the Commons. |
| Yet a poll published on Sunday suggested 71% of Britons want to see British troops withdrawn from Afghanistan within a year. | Yet a poll published on Sunday suggested 71% of Britons want to see British troops withdrawn from Afghanistan within a year. |
| 'Confident and outward-looking' | |
| Earlier this month, Kim Howells, chairman of the influential intelligence and security committee, became the most senior Labour figure to call for British troops to be pulled out of the Nato-led International Security and Assistance Force. | |
| The former foreign minister called for the majority of UK forces to be brought home to concentrate on protective measures to prevent terror attacks in the UK. | |
| But Mr Brown will reject this argument in his speech, saying: "At every point in our history where we have looked outwards, we have become stronger. | |
| "And now, more than ever, there is no future in what was once called 'splendid isolation'. | |
| "When Britain is bold, when Britain is engaged, when Britain is confident and outward-looking, we have shown time and again that Britain has a power and an energy that far exceeds the limits of our geography, our population, and our means. | |
| "As a nation we have every reason to be optimistic about our prospects: confident in our alliances, faithful to our values and determined as progressive pioneers to shape the world to come." | |
| He will attempt to set out what he sees as Britain's role in the world, telling his audience: "I believe that Britain can inspire the world. I believe that Britain can challenge the world. But most importantly of all, I believe that Britain can and must play its full part in changing the world. | |
| "And to do so we must have confidence in our distinctive strengths: our global values, global alliances and global actions; because with conviction in our values and confidence in our alliances, Britain can lead in the construction of a new global order." |