Reid: Afghanistan presence is the world’s wish
The government is making preparations for the “entry of a British presence of a significant nature” into southern Afghanistan, John Reid announced today.
The defence secretary said no details had been decided but there was the “desire” to move into the region. Nato troops are already positioned in the north and west of the country.
On Monday, armed forces minister Adam Ingram said some 250 British troops could be involved in establishing a British-led reconstruction team in the province of Helmand, in southern Afghanistan.
Today, Mr Reid visited Nato’s international security assistance force (ISAF) on exercise in Germany. Britain takes over control of the ISAF in Afghanistan in May next year.
He outlined the reasons for the military presence in Afghanistan, and insisted that it was not the result of any “isolated” action by the US or Britain but part of an international effort to rebuild the country and stop it becoming a haven for global terrorism.
“The reason that we are in Afghanistan is worth remembering – to deny space.to terrorists who would use that as a platform on which to launch terrorist attacks on other countries – not just America, but on any civilisation that stands against them,” he said.
Three things were necessary to do this, he continued: the creation of political stability and democracy; the training and development of local security forces; and the development of an economic and civil basis for Afghan society.
Mr Reid said he was “proud” that Nato had been prepared to play a role in rebuilding Afghanistan with the agreement of the United Nations, adding: “Nato is carrying out the world’s wishes.”
There have been reports that the expansion of British troops into the south was in response to the deterioration of the security situation in the country, but this was yesterday rejected by the prime minister’s official spokesman, who said that it had always been the plan.
In his statement to the Commons on Monday, Mr Ingram said plans for deployment into southern Afghanistan were only “preliminary” but it was “sensible” to begin preparations.
“These necessary measures are prudent military preparations for a possible future deployment. They do not mean that these units or capabilities will be committed to southern Afghanistan in 2006,” he told MPs.
“No final decisions have yet been made. Should the United Kingdom decide to commit additional forces to the ISAF in 2006, a full statement will then be made to the House as soon as possible.”
