Soldiers in Afghanistan
“We cannot, must not and will not walk away”. If corruption is a by-word for the Afghan government, then vagueness is a by-word for ours. Why must we not walk away? Britain needs more information and explanation if we are going to continue with a war that is fast appearing a catastrophe.
The death toll for British soldiers in Afghanistan has hit 229 – this year has been worse than any for fatalities since the Falklands conflict of 1982.
And as we know too well, five British servicemen were murdered this week by an Afghan policeman training in Helmand province, damaging the mission almost irreparably.
Not only are we faced with the prospect of more brutal killings, but the country we are fighting for is politically rotten. Respected military leaders, such as Major General Andrew Mackay have resigned. Kim Howells, a former Foreign Office minister, is calling for the return of most British troops.
Troops look out across the Afghan landscape
Uncertain future
Brown warned the Afghan President that British troops would not be put in harm’s way for a government mired in corruption. Does anyone really think a ticking off from Gordon is going to change it?
Will Karzai distance himself from his brother, and the warlords getting fat off humanitarian aid? Will he kick out his crooked colleagues, blast the opium trade on which terrorists thrive, and halt a political culture of bribery? I think not. (Corruption in Afghanistan)
If Karzai fails, which is most likely, what will we do?
And surely we need a contingency plan if Obama fails to send the 40,000 reinforcements requested by General Stanley McChrystal; if even more of our soldiers are murdered; if the Afghan police force is entirely infiltrated by the Taleban.
Captain Doug Beattle, a former British soldier who trained Afghan police for several years says “It is absolutely right to say the Afghan police are infiltrated by the Taleban at every level, from the very lowest to the very highest” (Williams, D, The Evening Standard. 05/11/09. p6).
We need to know
The British public will never throw their weight behind this treacherous war if they don’t get some answers. Do we
A veteran sings anti-war songs on the tube
even have a strategy? How are things actually going in Pakistan? What about more equipment? Will America send more troops – if not – what are our alternatives? Who are our allies in this mess? What sort of dialogue has there been with Europe, China, Russia? If any…
There is a strong case for continuing. Britain’s biggest defensive threat may come from the hills of Afghanistan, but where is the hard-headed argument?
Gordon needs to start talking. No more vague speeches. WHY CAN’T we abandon what seems to be a lost cause? If we walk away we risk threatening Pakistan’s fragile situation. A country with so much to fight for, not to mention nuclear arms, would surely find itself in the grips of an extremist takeover.
Troops would have died, Nato’s authority would be lost, Osama bin Laden – or whichever maniac is in charge of Al Qaeda- would crow over his victory, winning fresh support from all sorts of corners.
Major General Patrick Cordingley, former Gulf War general, says extra troops will make little difference. He says only training Afghanis to take over their own security will win the day.
Conversation
Almost two thirds of us now believe the war is unwinnable and that troops should return home, according to the Times. Britain’s strategy relies heavily on America’s leadership, but we need our own tangible approach.
The training of Afghan security forces is vital. Jason Clarke, Padre of Grenadier Guards, told Sky that soldiers are “shocked and shaken” by what has happened this week, but they have a mission and are under no illusions as to what must be done.
Instead it is British civilians who are labouring under a lack of information and disillusion. We proved during World War II our willingness as a nation to pull together and put our heart into a cause – if it’s a just one. We are fighting, but on what terms? Will someone please explain!
Photo 1 of soldiers: Adie Webster: http://www.flickr.com/photos/webby962/2182821727/?addedcomment=1#comment72157622652562529
Photo 2 of soldiers: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Adam Mancini http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/
