1,000 more troops to combat Taliban's 'bloodiest year' yet
by KIRSTY WALKER
24th February 2007
Mr Browne is understood to have briefed the Cabinet on the Afghanistan decision
More than 1,000 troops will be sent to Afghanistan within weeks, the Defence Secretary is expected to announce.
Des Browne will tell MPs on Monday that extra soldiers are needed to combat a fresh offensive by the Taliban, which promises the 'bloodiest year' since the conflict began.
Just days ago, Tony Blair announced the 'good news' that 1,600 troops will withdraw from Iraq by the summer.
His decision to leave Mr Browne to announce the 'bad news' raised eyebrows in Westminster. Mr Browne is understood to have briefed the Cabinet on the Afghanistan decision, expected to cost £250million, on Thursday.
But Opposition MPs warned the Armed Forces were being dangerously overstretched. There was also anger in Westminster and the Armed Forces as the news was leaked out through the media.
There are about 35,000 Nato troops in Afghanistan. George Bush last week announced an extra £5.4billion to bolster efforts in the region.
The UK has been reluctant to add to its 5,600-strong force, because it has been reinforced several times already.
But some Cabinet members believe the British troop commitment in Afghanistan may soon be larger than in Iraq.
Ministers announced plans to send 800 troops more to the region at the beginning of the month.
But is understood a further 230 troops including the C squadron and H2 squadron from the Household Cavalry Regiment, based at Windsor, will also be heading out. The regiment is also sending two squadrons, including Prince Harry's, to Iraq.
Nato is desperate for more troops as the Taliban prepare for an onslaught once the winter snow melts.
About 700 Taliban fighters are estimated to have crossed the Pakistani border into the troubled Helmand province in recent days. There has been a threefold increase in Taliban attacks in four months.
Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah told Reuters news agency: "This year will prove to be the bloodiest for the foreign troops. It is not just a threat, we will prove it.
"The Taliban's war preparations are going on in caves and in mountains. Our 6,000 fighters are ready for attacks on foreign troops after the change in weather and as it becomes warmer."
Cabinet minister Peter Hain said: "What Des Browne is considering now is what are the appropriate level of forces to make sure we can have an effective fight in which we roll the Taliban back and stop them recapturing Afghanistan."
America's anger at Mr Blair's decision to pull troops out of Iraq came into the open last night, as the country's vice president urged allies not to abandon the war.
Dick Cheney did not name Britain. But he was clearly referring to Mr Blair's withdrawal of forces. Immediately after the Downing Street announcement Washington put a spin on what was obviously bad news for the Bush administration, which is sending 21,000 troops into Iraq.
Both Mr Bush and Mr Cheney said Mr Blair's decision was proof that conditions had improved in the south of Iraq to the extent that the British forces were no longer needed.
The American media quickly pointed out the flaws in that argument - saying the drawdown was motivated by political, not military needs. Mr Cheney made his real views known during a speech in Australia.
"The notion that free countries can turn our backs on what happens in places like Afghanistan or Iraq or any other possible safe haven for terrorists is an option that we simply cannot indulge," he said.
He also congratulated the Australian prime minister John Howard on his country's record of supporting Washington.
dailymail.co.uk
by KIRSTY WALKER
24th February 2007
Mr Browne is understood to have briefed the Cabinet on the Afghanistan decision
More than 1,000 troops will be sent to Afghanistan within weeks, the Defence Secretary is expected to announce.
Des Browne will tell MPs on Monday that extra soldiers are needed to combat a fresh offensive by the Taliban, which promises the 'bloodiest year' since the conflict began.
Just days ago, Tony Blair announced the 'good news' that 1,600 troops will withdraw from Iraq by the summer.
His decision to leave Mr Browne to announce the 'bad news' raised eyebrows in Westminster. Mr Browne is understood to have briefed the Cabinet on the Afghanistan decision, expected to cost £250million, on Thursday.
But Opposition MPs warned the Armed Forces were being dangerously overstretched. There was also anger in Westminster and the Armed Forces as the news was leaked out through the media.
There are about 35,000 Nato troops in Afghanistan. George Bush last week announced an extra £5.4billion to bolster efforts in the region.
The UK has been reluctant to add to its 5,600-strong force, because it has been reinforced several times already.
But some Cabinet members believe the British troop commitment in Afghanistan may soon be larger than in Iraq.
Ministers announced plans to send 800 troops more to the region at the beginning of the month.
But is understood a further 230 troops including the C squadron and H2 squadron from the Household Cavalry Regiment, based at Windsor, will also be heading out. The regiment is also sending two squadrons, including Prince Harry's, to Iraq.
Nato is desperate for more troops as the Taliban prepare for an onslaught once the winter snow melts.
About 700 Taliban fighters are estimated to have crossed the Pakistani border into the troubled Helmand province in recent days. There has been a threefold increase in Taliban attacks in four months.
Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah told Reuters news agency: "This year will prove to be the bloodiest for the foreign troops. It is not just a threat, we will prove it.
"The Taliban's war preparations are going on in caves and in mountains. Our 6,000 fighters are ready for attacks on foreign troops after the change in weather and as it becomes warmer."
Cabinet minister Peter Hain said: "What Des Browne is considering now is what are the appropriate level of forces to make sure we can have an effective fight in which we roll the Taliban back and stop them recapturing Afghanistan."
America's anger at Mr Blair's decision to pull troops out of Iraq came into the open last night, as the country's vice president urged allies not to abandon the war.
Dick Cheney did not name Britain. But he was clearly referring to Mr Blair's withdrawal of forces. Immediately after the Downing Street announcement Washington put a spin on what was obviously bad news for the Bush administration, which is sending 21,000 troops into Iraq.
Both Mr Bush and Mr Cheney said Mr Blair's decision was proof that conditions had improved in the south of Iraq to the extent that the British forces were no longer needed.
The American media quickly pointed out the flaws in that argument - saying the drawdown was motivated by political, not military needs. Mr Cheney made his real views known during a speech in Australia.
"The notion that free countries can turn our backs on what happens in places like Afghanistan or Iraq or any other possible safe haven for terrorists is an option that we simply cannot indulge," he said.
He also congratulated the Australian prime minister John Howard on his country's record of supporting Washington.
dailymail.co.uk