bobdina
10-08-2009, 01:19 PM
PM To Consider Extra Afghan Troops
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Source: ananova
Gordon Brown is to consider the case for increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan as he chairs a key Cabinet committee.
After the Prime Minister came under fire from the former head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, there was speculation that he may be on the verge of indicating his willingness to boost the 9,000-strong British deployment.
Sir Richard will be formally named as an adviser to the Conservatives as David Cameron delivers his keynote speech to the party's annual conference in Manchester.
Senior Labour figures suggested the revelation that Sir Richard was ready to take up a role in Mr Cameron's team - and an expected peerage if the Tories win power in the upcoming election - raised questions over his earlier criticisms of Government policy.
The General let it be known while he was still Chief of General Staff that he thought ministers should send more soldiers and equipment to Afghanistan.
And he said that Mr Brown had rejected his request for an extra 2,000 troops because it was "too expensive".
Labour minister Phil Woolas told BBC2's Newsnight: "We were assured in August that there was no party political agenda. It now turns out that there does seem to be one."
But retired Army commander Bob Stewart, who led British forces in Bosnia and is now hoping to stand for the Conservatives in the coming general election, said: "Richard Dannatt spoke up for the armed forces extremely well. He tried to do his duty, which was to look after particularly the Army, but all troops in Afghanistan. I do not believe for a moment that he was political."
Asked why his appeal for more troops was turned down earlier this year, Gen Dannatt told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Because it was going to be too expensive. Simple as that."
Sir Richard said Mr Brown was swayed by "alternative" proposals which said the mission in Afghanistan could be accomplished with fewer troops and different tactics. "But if you ask military people for their military advice, and we look at the task on the ground and the number of troops we need to do the job effectively, it came out to 9,800," he added.
http://www.modoracle.com/news/PM-To-Consider-Extra-Afghan-Troops_19002.html
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Source: ananova
Gordon Brown is to consider the case for increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan as he chairs a key Cabinet committee.
After the Prime Minister came under fire from the former head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, there was speculation that he may be on the verge of indicating his willingness to boost the 9,000-strong British deployment.
Sir Richard will be formally named as an adviser to the Conservatives as David Cameron delivers his keynote speech to the party's annual conference in Manchester.
Senior Labour figures suggested the revelation that Sir Richard was ready to take up a role in Mr Cameron's team - and an expected peerage if the Tories win power in the upcoming election - raised questions over his earlier criticisms of Government policy.
The General let it be known while he was still Chief of General Staff that he thought ministers should send more soldiers and equipment to Afghanistan.
And he said that Mr Brown had rejected his request for an extra 2,000 troops because it was "too expensive".
Labour minister Phil Woolas told BBC2's Newsnight: "We were assured in August that there was no party political agenda. It now turns out that there does seem to be one."
But retired Army commander Bob Stewart, who led British forces in Bosnia and is now hoping to stand for the Conservatives in the coming general election, said: "Richard Dannatt spoke up for the armed forces extremely well. He tried to do his duty, which was to look after particularly the Army, but all troops in Afghanistan. I do not believe for a moment that he was political."
Asked why his appeal for more troops was turned down earlier this year, Gen Dannatt told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Because it was going to be too expensive. Simple as that."
Sir Richard said Mr Brown was swayed by "alternative" proposals which said the mission in Afghanistan could be accomplished with fewer troops and different tactics. "But if you ask military people for their military advice, and we look at the task on the ground and the number of troops we need to do the job effectively, it came out to 9,800," he added.
http://www.modoracle.com/news/PM-To-Consider-Extra-Afghan-Troops_19002.html