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PM to defend UK's Afghan policy Brown plans talks on Afghan exit
(about 1 hour 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. Gordon Brown plans to host a summit in January to discuss a timetable for the handover of power in Afghanistan.
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 in a speech later he wants the Nato meeting to "set a timetable for transfer starting in 2010".
The prime minister is due to speak at the Lord Mayor's banquet in the City of London on Monday evening. Downing Street said the London event was not an "exit" summit - just an opportunity to discuss future strategy.
Sunday saw the death of the 96th UK serviceman to be killed this year. The PM - who will also mount a robust defence of the UK's presence in Afghanistan - is due to speak at the Lord Mayor's banquet in the City.
Downing Street has said that the planned extra 500 troops will not be sent to Afghanistan this week as conditions for their deployment have not yet been met. He is expected to say: "Following the inauguration this week of President Karzai, the international community will meet to agree plans for the support we will provide to Afghanistan during this next phase. I have offered London as a venue in January.
"I want that conference to chart a comprehensive political framework within which the military strategy can be accomplished.
"It should identify a process for transferring district by district to full Afghan control and if at all possible set a timetable for transfer starting in 2010."
Extra troops
Mr Brown is expected to use the event to put pressure on Britain's Nato allies to send more troops.
Downing Street has said that the planned extra 500 troops will not be sent to Afghanistan yet as conditions for their deployment have not been met.
Britain can lead in the construction of a new global order Gordon Brown
They will be sent as long as they have the necessary equipment, if other Nato allies boost their troop numbers and more Afghan soldiers are trained.They will be sent as long as they have the necessary equipment, if other Nato allies boost their troop numbers and more Afghan soldiers are trained.
Earlier this month, Mr Brown acknowledged that al-Qaeda is not currently operating in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Mr Brown acknowledged that al-Qaeda was 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. 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."
Corruption warning
He will warn that al-Qaeda is the biggest threat to UK national security - and that this year's fighting has had the greatest impact on the group of any 12-month period since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001.
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.
He has warned President Hamid Karzai that he will not continue to put British troops "in harm's way" to defend a corrupt government. President Karzai is expected to unveil reform proposals at his inauguration on Thursday.He has warned President Hamid Karzai that he will not continue to put British troops "in harm's way" to defend a corrupt government. President Karzai is expected to unveil reform proposals at his inauguration on Thursday.
Nevertheless, a poll published on Sunday suggested 71% of Britons want to see British troops withdrawn from Afghanistan within a year.Nevertheless, 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 (ISAF).
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.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.
'Confident and outward-looking'
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.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'."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."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.""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.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.""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."
Sunday saw the death of the 96th UK serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan this year.