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UK-US talks on Afghan war support UK-US call for Afghan war support
(about 1 hour later)
The US secretary of state is meeting the prime minister in London to bolster support for the Afghanistan war. The prime minister and the US secretary of state have called for the burden of fighting the Taleban in Afghanistan to be shared by Nato allies.
Condoleezza Rice and Gordon Brown are expected to discuss Nato tensions over allies allowing their troops to fight in the south of the country. Downing Street said Gordon Brown and Condoleezza Rice discussed ways to get more out of Nato members who were not allowing troops to serve in the south.
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. Ms Rice said Nato was facing a "real test" as some countries were staying out of the more dangerous areas.
Earlier, Ms Rice met Foreign Secretary David Miliband. She was in London for talks with the PM and 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. Her visit sparked demonstrations by some 250 protesters from the Stop the War Coalition who gathered near Downing Street.
France and Germany are among the nations criticised for not sending forces to the south of Afghanistan, which has seen the most intense fighting. After an earlier meeting with Mr Miliband, Ms Rice said Nato faced a tough battle to bring security to Afghanistan.
Map of troop deployments in AfghanistanMap of troop deployments in Afghanistan
France and Germany are among the nations criticised for not sending forces to the south of Afghanistan, which has seen the most intense fighting.
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.
Some 250 anti-war protesters gathered in WhitehallSome 250 anti-war protesters gathered in Whitehall
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said tough talking was needed over the coming weeks.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.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. This worsened already rocky relations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has rejected much of the international strategy for his country.
'Perfect storm''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.
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".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".
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".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".
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 described the situation there as a crisis that seemed to have reached an "almost perfect storm" - with the Taleban neither winning, nor defeated.
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.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."
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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