1,300 more sent to war zone
By GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Political Editor
February 24, 2007
General David Richards visits soldiers from 16th Air Assault in Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, to congratulate them for their work fighting against the Taliban insurgency
BRITAIN is being forced to send an extra 1,300 soldiers to Afghanistan — because other EU countries are too scared to help out.
Weak-willed Germany, Italy, Spain and France are refusing to send troops to the war zone.
Defence Secretary Des Browne yesterday confirmed around 1,300 combat troops are being sent to join the existing force of 5,000. They are desperately needed to crush an expected Taliban uprising in the spring.
The UK had to act because European Nato allies have left us in the lurch. Ministers are furious at the way EU states are enjoying Nato protection despite doing nothing to support it.
Mr Browne said yesterday: “We have been trying hard to get other nations to live up to the joint commitment Nato made to Afghanistan and provide more forces — forces which are authorised to fight. We will continue to press. But we must be realistic.”
EU minister Geoff Hoon earlier told the BBC: “We would like to see a greater effort by other countries.”
Last night a senior Taliban commander WELCOMED news of the deployment — saying they would face “countless” suicide bombers.
Mullah Dadullah told Channel 4 News: “More troops means more will be killed.”
Nato countries like Germany, Italy and France have sent troops to Afghanistan. But they are not allowed to fight and are there to help reconstruction in the north of the country.
thesun.co.uk
Political Editor
February 24, 2007
General David Richards visits soldiers from 16th Air Assault in Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, to congratulate them for their work fighting against the Taliban insurgency
BRITAIN is being forced to send an extra 1,300 soldiers to Afghanistan — because other EU countries are too scared to help out.
Weak-willed Germany, Italy, Spain and France are refusing to send troops to the war zone.
Defence Secretary Des Browne yesterday confirmed around 1,300 combat troops are being sent to join the existing force of 5,000. They are desperately needed to crush an expected Taliban uprising in the spring.
The UK had to act because European Nato allies have left us in the lurch. Ministers are furious at the way EU states are enjoying Nato protection despite doing nothing to support it.
Mr Browne said yesterday: “We have been trying hard to get other nations to live up to the joint commitment Nato made to Afghanistan and provide more forces — forces which are authorised to fight. We will continue to press. But we must be realistic.”
EU minister Geoff Hoon earlier told the BBC: “We would like to see a greater effort by other countries.”
Last night a senior Taliban commander WELCOMED news of the deployment — saying they would face “countless” suicide bombers.
Mullah Dadullah told Channel 4 News: “More troops means more will be killed.”
Nato countries like Germany, Italy and France have sent troops to Afghanistan. But they are not allowed to fight and are there to help reconstruction in the north of the country.
thesun.co.uk
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