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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK troops 'stretched but winning' | UK troops 'stretched but winning' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| British troops are "stretched" but they are winning the tactical battle in Afghanistan, the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has said. | British troops are "stretched" but they are winning the tactical battle in Afghanistan, the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has said. |
| During a visit to the country, he told the BBC that operations in Iraq and Afghanistan meant soldiers were being deployed more often than he would like. | During a visit to the country, he told the BBC that operations in Iraq and Afghanistan meant soldiers were being deployed more often than he would like. |
| But their skill and determination were defeating the Taleban, he said. | But their skill and determination were defeating the Taleban, he said. |
| Gen Dannatt also backed calls for special recognition for those involved in the battles in southern Afghanistan. | Gen Dannatt also backed calls for special recognition for those involved in the battles in southern Afghanistan. |
| Casualties | Casualties |
| He said he had "pride and admiration" for all the young soldiers in the British army and said there was no other force that could be doing such a difficult task in the country. | He said he had "pride and admiration" for all the young soldiers in the British army and said there was no other force that could be doing such a difficult task in the country. |
| "With the training we've got, the equipment we've got, and determination, and leadership, we're winning our tactical engagements," he said. | "With the training we've got, the equipment we've got, and determination, and leadership, we're winning our tactical engagements," he said. |
| We can be busy, we can be stretched, we can run hot - provided we are looking after individuals General Sir Richard Dannatt UK 'not failing' troops | We can be busy, we can be stretched, we can run hot - provided we are looking after individuals General Sir Richard Dannatt UK 'not failing' troops |
| "Of course, tragically, we take casualties from time to time. I don't want to get into a numbers count, but the Taleban have taken a lot more casualties than we have." | "Of course, tragically, we take casualties from time to time. I don't want to get into a numbers count, but the Taleban have taken a lot more casualties than we have." |
| While troops were "certainly stretched" and soldiers were not getting as long in barracks as he would like, morale was good, he said. | While troops were "certainly stretched" and soldiers were not getting as long in barracks as he would like, morale was good, he said. |
| "We can be busy, we can be stretched, we can run hot - provided we are looking after individuals. | "We can be busy, we can be stretched, we can run hot - provided we are looking after individuals. |
| "Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing." | "Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing." |
| Forces 'overstretched' | |
| His comments came as Defence Secretary Des Browne denied claims the government is failing in its duty to UK troops who put their lives on the line for their country. | His comments came as Defence Secretary Des Browne denied claims the government is failing in its duty to UK troops who put their lives on the line for their country. |
| The Royal British Legion had said the Military Covenant - guaranteeing troops fair treatment in return for forgoing other rights - is not being upheld. | The Royal British Legion had said the Military Covenant - guaranteeing troops fair treatment in return for forgoing other rights - is not being upheld. |
| Shadow Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "We face the problem that in Britain the government has overstretched our armed forces without giving them sufficient resources to do the job they're being asked to do." | |
| He went on to criticise the level of commitment from Britain's allies. | |
| Dr Fox said: "Our international allies, particularly some of our European allies and Nato, simply have not been stepping up to the plate in an international operation of this nature." | |
| Medal petition | Medal petition |
| Gen Dannatt also backed calls for special recognition for those involved in fighting in southern Afghanistan which he said was "of a greater intensity than that which had gone on elsewhere in Afghanistan in recent years". | Gen Dannatt also backed calls for special recognition for those involved in fighting in southern Afghanistan which he said was "of a greater intensity than that which had gone on elsewhere in Afghanistan in recent years". |
| "My view is that there should be a clasp on the medal which says southern Afghanistan," he said. | "My view is that there should be a clasp on the medal which says southern Afghanistan," he said. |
| "We've already got a medal for Afghanistan, we don't do two medals for the same campaign, but to recognise southern Afghanistan by a clasp on that medal is, I think, the way to do it." | "We've already got a medal for Afghanistan, we don't do two medals for the same campaign, but to recognise southern Afghanistan by a clasp on that medal is, I think, the way to do it." |
| His comments follow the launch of an online petition calling for a special medal to be awarded to British forces fighting the Taleban. | His comments follow the launch of an online petition calling for a special medal to be awarded to British forces fighting the Taleban. |
| Campaigners complain the Ministry of Defence (MoD) still offers soldiers the same medal as it did to those involved in peacekeeping duties in 2002. | Campaigners complain the Ministry of Defence (MoD) still offers soldiers the same medal as it did to those involved in peacekeeping duties in 2002. |
| However, the MoD says the current award is not for peacekeeping but general operational service. | However, the MoD says the current award is not for peacekeeping but general operational service. |
| Gen Dannatt also called on the Post Office to offer free postal services to the families of serving members of the armed forces deployed in conflicts overseas. | Gen Dannatt also called on the Post Office to offer free postal services to the families of serving members of the armed forces deployed in conflicts overseas. |