UK NEWS
ARMY CHIEFS IN TROOPS PULL-BACK AHEAD OF ELECTION
AFGHANISTAN: Gordon Brown is being accused of 'playing politics' with British troops
By Marco Giannangeli
DOWNING Street has ordered senior Army commanders to identify parts of Helmand province from which British troops can start to withdraw within the next few months.
Senior officers last night revealed they have been told by Number 10 to “make it happen” ahead of next year’s general election.
But critics rounded on Gordon Brown, accusing the Prime Minister of “playing politics with British troops” and dubbing the plan a “dangerous gimmick”.
Downing Street fears that the mounting death toll in Afghanistan could cost Labour the next election – to be held no later than June – and have told top brass to deliver their exit strategy before Christmas.
The move, by Brown’s master tactician Peter Mandelson, is causing consternation among top brass, worried that the withdrawal is being dictated by politics rather than conditions on the ground.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday launched a broadside against the Prime Minister, and warned against the danger of following an artificial timetable. He said: “If international forces leave, you can choose a time– five minutes, 24 hours or seven days – but the insurgent forces will overrun those forces that are prepared to put up resistance and we would be back to square one.”
One senior officer said: “We’ve been told to make it happen. The word is that he or his advisers are simply reacting to public opinion. If we follow the same exit strategy as we did in Iraq what will we leave behind?”
On Wednesday the Prime Minister announced his hope to hold an international conference in London in January to decide on a withdrawal timetable. He said: “It should identify a process for transferring, district by district, to full Afghan control and set a time-table for transfer starting in 2010.”
According to Downing Street, the move does not spell withdrawal, rather than the handing over of power to Afghan troops. But critics accused the Government of yet another U-turn, after months of telling the public that Britain must remain in Afghanistan for as long as it takes.
Shadow Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “We believe in taking the advice of our commanders on the basis of what is best for our forces, not what is best for Labour. To play politics with our troops shows just why Labour need to be removed from office.”
The Lib Dem’s Mike Hancock said: “This smacks of knee-jerk reaction to an election threat over an unpopular war. It’s just a gimmick and it’s very dangerous.”
Last month Army chief, General Sir David Richards, told students the Army could be in Afghanistan for the next 15 years.
IS THAT REALY THE REASON?
24.11.09, 7:41pm
Now, I've heard a rumour about a questionnaire
sent to our boys serving in Afghanistan.
It contains one pertinent question: "Would you be prepared to use lethal force against British people". If so they are returned to the UK.
Far fetched? I thought so.
By chance I got chatting to a lad discharged last week Who had been posted to this hell hole.
"That's right" he said "but not many signed".
This sounds to me that Labour have no intention of giving up power and are going to use force to retain it.
Are they scared of the Tories? Maybe the BNP.
• Posted by: hepworth • Report Comment
SINCE WHEN
22.11.09, 11:08pm
accusing the Prime Minister of “playing politics with British troops” and dubbing the plan a “dangerous gimmick”.
Since when did this bunch of public servent care about their employers.
Servicemen pay tax's even when stationed abroad. no off shore banking for them. serviemens families, do our public servents care about them?
occasionally, they do pay lip service, but show us what you have DONE with your time Brown.
• Posted by: JohnFromLincolnshire • Report Comment
TRAITORS & IDIOTS
22.11.09, 10:20pm
‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’
vote BNP
• Posted by: Neale • Report Comment
POLITICAL GAMBIT
22.11.09, 12:49pm
In the coming election I predict Mr. Brown will be studying more of the despicable BNP policies of common sense. Firstly the pull out of the British troops from Afghanistan before the next election; that should gain a few more votes from the gullible Brits. Maybe a total block on immigration, Hmmm, Too late for that! Turkey is to join the EU, Welcome to Britain and all the available benefits. Pity the promised Referendum conveniently disappeared. Maybe we could have stemmed the unstoppable flow of cultural enriches to our shores. Sorry to say, the Labour and Conservative parties have been disastrous for the future of Britain and will continue our downfall until removed from office.
• Posted by: JAS • Report Comment
A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
22.11.09, 10:56am
I don't think this is any coincidence, the US has moved thousands of troops into the area, they are effectively running the war in that region now.
It is time this country finally grasped the nettle of reality and realised that we are but a small country in the world, the days of Empire have long gone we can't afford to throw away our resources on futile wars where there is little nett benefit for the UK.
Iraqi was about oil, Afghanistan is about potential invasion of Iran and regime change. OH and there is oil there as well.
• Posted by: DukeVonCarpet • Report Comment
PULL OUT
22.11.09, 9:43am
This just sums up what politicians are all about.
Gordon Brown will pull troops out of Afhanistan, because he is affraid more deaths will cost him the election.
What about the need for the troops being there to keep Britains street's safe? We all knew that was a lie.
But what about those soldiers who have already died and for what?
The man who started it all Tony Blair, and all the others that backed the Iraq and Afghanistan war's should stand trial.
• Posted by: sheptenelan • Report Comment
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