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UK-US talks on Afghan war support UK-US talks on Afghan war support
(about 2 hours later)
The US secretary of state is meeting the prime minister in London to bolster support for the Afghanistan war.The US secretary of state is meeting the prime minister in London to bolster support for the Afghanistan war.
Condoleezza Rice and Gordon Brown are expected to discuss Nato tensions over allies allowing their troops to fight in the south of the country.Condoleezza Rice and Gordon Brown are expected to discuss Nato tensions over allies allowing their troops to fight in the south of the country.
They will also look for ways to repair relations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has rejected much of the international strategy for his country.They will also look for ways to repair relations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has rejected much of the international strategy for his country.
Earlier, Ms Rice met Foreign Secretary David Miliband.Earlier, Ms Rice met Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
Speaking afterwards, she said Nato faced a tough battle to bring security to Afghanistan and called for all allies to carry their fair share of the burden.Speaking afterwards, she said Nato faced a tough battle to bring security to Afghanistan and called for all allies to carry their fair share of the burden.
France and Germany are among the nations that have been criticised for not sending forces to the south of Afghanistan, which has seen the most intense fighting. France and Germany are among the nations criticised for not sending forces to the south of Afghanistan, which has seen the most intense fighting.
Map of troop deployments in AfghanistanMap of troop deployments in Afghanistan
Ms Rice said: "The alliance is facing a real test here. And it is a test of alliance strength."Ms Rice said: "The alliance is facing a real test here. And it is a test of alliance strength."
She added that people needed to understand it was not a peace-keeping mission in Afghanistan, but a counter-insurgency fight.She added that people needed to understand it was not a peace-keeping mission in Afghanistan, but a counter-insurgency fight.
Mr Miliband meanwhile said Britain had enough troops in the country to carry out its current mission.Mr Miliband meanwhile said Britain had enough troops in the country to carry out its current mission.
"I am confident that the 7,700 troops that we have got in Afghanistan are the right number. They are doing an outstanding job with bravery and intelligence and skill," he said."I am confident that the 7,700 troops that we have got in Afghanistan are the right number. They are doing an outstanding job with bravery and intelligence and skill," he said.
Mr Miliband insisted Britain has enough troops in Afghanistan Some 250 anti-war protesters gathered in Whitehall
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said tough talking was needed over the coming weeks.
He warned if Nato failed in Afghanistan it would affect all of the members of Nato as well as countries which were not in the alliance.
On her flight to England, Ms Rice told reporters she wanted to "intensify discussions about Afghanistan".On her flight to England, Ms Rice told reporters she wanted to "intensify discussions about Afghanistan".
She also said the appointment of a high-level figure to co-ordinate international civilian and military operations in Afghanistan was high on the agenda.She also said the appointment of a high-level figure to co-ordinate international civilian and military operations in Afghanistan was high on the agenda.
Last month, Afghanistan rejected the candidacy of Paddy Ashdown as the new United Nations envoy to the country.Last month, Afghanistan rejected the candidacy of Paddy Ashdown as the new United Nations envoy to the country.
Ms Rice said it was likely the appointment would go to a European, not an American.Ms Rice said it was likely the appointment would go to a European, not an American.
'Disarray' 'Perfect storm'
As Mr Brown's talks with Ms Rice began at Downing Street, about 250 demonstrators from the Stop the War Coalition gathered nearby.As Mr Brown's talks with Ms Rice began at Downing Street, about 250 demonstrators from the Stop the War Coalition gathered nearby.
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the talks were taking place at a critical time when the US and UK have to "galvanise international action". BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said the talks were taking place at a critical time when the US and UK needed to "galvanise international action".
"Above all, London and Washington fear a draining away of public consent at home for a war which is meant to deny space for those promoting global terrorism. After a media conference, he said Ms Rice had been "pretty blunt while trying to put the most positive gloss on what was happening in Afghanistan".
"Public consent could be hard to maintain unless that war is seen to be far more decisive." Our correspondent described the situation there as a crisis that seemed to have reached an "almost perfect storm" - with the Taleban neither winning, nor defeated.
Our correspondent also said that Nato was "in disarray as countries taking the heaviest casualties criticise other member states unwilling to send troops or risk them in combat". He said both Ms Rice and Mr Miliband acknowledged the drugs problem was far from resolved and there were difficulties with the Afghan government which had to step up and fight corruption in its own ranks.
LEAD NATIONS IN REGIONAL COMMAND CENTRES Countries contributing more than 1,000 troops as of December 2007 Canada 1,730France 1,292Germany 3,155Italy 2,358Netherlands 1,512 Poland 1,141Turkey 1,219UK 7,753US 15,038 Source: ISAFLEAD NATIONS IN REGIONAL COMMAND CENTRES Countries contributing more than 1,000 troops as of December 2007 Canada 1,730France 1,292Germany 3,155Italy 2,358Netherlands 1,512 Poland 1,141Turkey 1,219UK 7,753US 15,038 Source: ISAF
Michael Williams, head of the transatlantic security programme at the Royal United Services Institute, said there was no willingness to change among most of the allies.Michael Williams, head of the transatlantic security programme at the Royal United Services Institute, said there was no willingness to change among most of the allies.
"It is a poorly defined mission in Afghanistan, it is difficult to execute with a common strategy. That is the root of the problem."It is a poorly defined mission in Afghanistan, it is difficult to execute with a common strategy. That is the root of the problem.
"What this meeting is going to do is look at this and how to convince the allies to participate more. But it is too far down the line, I don't think anyone is going to change how they are engaged.""What this meeting is going to do is look at this and how to convince the allies to participate more. But it is too far down the line, I don't think anyone is going to change how they are engaged."
Gordon Brown will also have talks soon with the American senator and presidential challenger, John McCain.
The meeting is scheduled for this Friday, when Senator McCain is passing through London. He is the current front-runner to be the Republican candidate in November's presidential election.
British deploymentsBritish deployments
Earlier, Defence Secretary Des Browne announced the lead brigade in Afghanistan would change in April to 16 Air Assault Brigade, which would provide the bulk of the units serving in Afghanistan.Earlier, Defence Secretary Des Browne announced the lead brigade in Afghanistan would change in April to 16 Air Assault Brigade, which would provide the bulk of the units serving in Afghanistan.
They will take over from 52 Infantry Brigade, as part of the regular six-monthly rotation of British forces.They will take over from 52 Infantry Brigade, as part of the regular six-monthly rotation of British forces.
New deployments will also include the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Highland Fusiliers and the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment.New deployments will also include the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Highland Fusiliers and the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment.
The new deployments are due to remain in place until October.The new deployments are due to remain in place until October.
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