ianstone
07-18-2010, 10:21 AM
Combat Troops 'Out Of Afghanistan By 2014'
1:18pm UK, Sunday July 18, 2010
Alison Chung and Huw Borland, Sky News Online
British troops are planning to pull out of Afghanistan by 2014, the Defence Secretary has said as a secret document reportedly mapping out a blueprint for the withdrawal was leaked.
President Hamid Karzai (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Hamid%20Karzai) will announce a timetable for a "conditions-based and phased transition" at an international conference in Kabul on Tuesday, the leaked communique says.
The document, seen by The Independent on Sunday, reportedly states the withdrawal of Nato troops is to begin within months, with the Afghan National Security Forces taking control of military operations by the end of 2014.
The disclosure comes after Foreign Secretary William Hague (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/William%20Hague) hinted at British troops withdrawing by 2014 but stressed that the Government was not "setting a timetable for what happens over the next few years".
Defence Secretary Liam Fox also refused to comment on the leaked document, but did say the Prime Minister had made it very clear he did not want combat troops in Afghanistan beyond 2015.
"It has always been our aim to be successful in the mission and the mission has always said that the Afghan national security forces would be able to deal with their own security by 2014," Mr Fox told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.
While the military bring much-needed security, peace will only be achieved by political progress backed by development.
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell
But he did confirm that non-combat staff could remain in the country after that date to further train and improve the Afghan forces.
Mr Hague will attend the Kabul conference with foreign ministers from more than 70 countries, alongside US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Ahead of the conference, three civilians were killed and dozens more wounded by a suicide bombing near a market in the Afghan capital.
The leaked document comes as the Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of a fourth British soldier (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Helmand-Four-British-Servicemen-Killed-In-Afghanistan-Families-Have-Been-Told/Article/201007315666567?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article _Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15666567), from The Royal Logistic Corps, in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Britain is to boost spending on aid projects in Afghanistan (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Afghanistan) by 40% in a bid to speed up the withdrawal of troops.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Jul/Week3/15666779.jpg British soldiers and children in Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Andrew%20Mitchell) will declare on Monday that securing progress in the turbulent nation is his "number one priority".
Afghanistan will be the main beneficiary of an ongoing review of where UK taxpayers' cash is spent abroad - with payments to dozens of countries set to be reduced or axed.
International development is one of only two Whitehall budgets - along with health - to be protected from spending cuts being imposed by the Treasury.
But, with opinion polls showing most voters want aid slashed before domestic spending, Mr Mitchell is under pressure to justify the protection given to the department.
The extra cash will be focused on stabilising 80 key districts, bolstering the Afghan economy and "getting the government to a place where it can meet the basic needs of its people".
Mr Mitchell also wants to boost education, with an aim of getting six million children into school within two years and tens of thousands of Afghans into vocational training.
MORE ON THIS STORY:
Video
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2009/Dec/Week3/15505849.jpg 2:00 (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Afghan-Health-Workers-Plea-For-Aid/Video/201002115543843?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_1&lid=VIDEO_15543843_Afghan_Health_Workers_Plea_For_ Aid)
Feb 06,2010
Afghan Health Workers' Plea For Aidhttp://news.sky.com/sky-news/app/img/chv_12_red.gif (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Afghan-Health-Workers-Plea-For-Aid/Video/201002115543843?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_1&lid=VIDEO_15543843_Afghan_Health_Workers_Plea_For_ Aid)
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[URL="http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Afghanistan-British-Troops-To-Be-Pulled-Out-Of-Sangin-Where-Nearly-Third-Of-UK-Deaths-Occurred/Article/201007115660515?lpos=UK_News_Article_Related_Conte nt_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15660515_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _To_Be_Pulled_Out_Of_Sangin_Where_Nearly_Third_Of_ UK_Deaths_Occurred"]http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Jun/Week4/15653150.jpg (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/David-Beckham-Answers-Yahoo-Questions-England-Star-Describes-Recent-Afghanistan-Trip/Video/201007215665315?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_2&lid=VIDEO_15665315_David_Beckham_Answers_Yahoo%21_ Questions%3A_England_Star_Describes_Recent_Afghani stan_Trip)Jul 07,2010
Fox Confirms Troops To Leave Sangin http://news.sky.com/sky-news/app/img/chv_12_red.gif (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Afghanistan-British-Troops-To-Be-Pulled-Out-Of-Sangin-Where-Nearly-Third-Of-UK-Deaths-Occurred/Article/201007115660515?lpos=UK_News_Article_Related_Conte nt_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15660515_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _To_Be_Pulled_Out_Of_Sangin_Where_Nearly_Third_Of_ UK_Deaths_Occurred)
Your Comments
Sort comments by: Newest Oldest (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Afghanistan-British-Troops-Plan-To-Pull-Out-By-2014-Liam-Fox-Says-And-UK-To-Boost-Aid-Spending/Article/201007315666778?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15666778_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _P#) Recommended (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Afghanistan-British-Troops-Plan-To-Pull-Out-By-2014-Liam-Fox-Says-And-UK-To-Boost-Aid-Spending/Article/201007315666778?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15666778_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _P#)
Posted by: Rex Von Reason (http://blogs.news.sky.com/profile/Rex%20Von%20Reason) on July 18, 2010 12:47 PM
'Britain is to boost spending on aid projects in Afghanistan by 40%.'
While Britain's economy collapses and millions are unemployed
on July 18, 2010 11:43 AM
The good news is are troops will be coming home in 4 years time. The bad news is the current daily death rate suggests only 60% will come home alive. Bring them back now.
on July 18, 2010 11:41 AM
I do have to question how a secret document can find its way into the public domain with such ease. If it is accurate and its "leaking" not a planned tactic, then its contents will provide succour and hope to the Taliban, so that all they have to do is either keep out of the way for a few yeas and then reclaim power, or to increase their activities as the withdrawal commences and then claim they have routed the British.
For me, it is a sad shame, as in other conflicts the politicians have stepped back in and the Forces pay the price.
1:18pm UK, Sunday July 18, 2010
Alison Chung and Huw Borland, Sky News Online
British troops are planning to pull out of Afghanistan by 2014, the Defence Secretary has said as a secret document reportedly mapping out a blueprint for the withdrawal was leaked.
President Hamid Karzai (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Hamid%20Karzai) will announce a timetable for a "conditions-based and phased transition" at an international conference in Kabul on Tuesday, the leaked communique says.
The document, seen by The Independent on Sunday, reportedly states the withdrawal of Nato troops is to begin within months, with the Afghan National Security Forces taking control of military operations by the end of 2014.
The disclosure comes after Foreign Secretary William Hague (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/William%20Hague) hinted at British troops withdrawing by 2014 but stressed that the Government was not "setting a timetable for what happens over the next few years".
Defence Secretary Liam Fox also refused to comment on the leaked document, but did say the Prime Minister had made it very clear he did not want combat troops in Afghanistan beyond 2015.
"It has always been our aim to be successful in the mission and the mission has always said that the Afghan national security forces would be able to deal with their own security by 2014," Mr Fox told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.
While the military bring much-needed security, peace will only be achieved by political progress backed by development.
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell
But he did confirm that non-combat staff could remain in the country after that date to further train and improve the Afghan forces.
Mr Hague will attend the Kabul conference with foreign ministers from more than 70 countries, alongside US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Ahead of the conference, three civilians were killed and dozens more wounded by a suicide bombing near a market in the Afghan capital.
The leaked document comes as the Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of a fourth British soldier (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Helmand-Four-British-Servicemen-Killed-In-Afghanistan-Families-Have-Been-Told/Article/201007315666567?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article _Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15666567), from The Royal Logistic Corps, in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Britain is to boost spending on aid projects in Afghanistan (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Afghanistan) by 40% in a bid to speed up the withdrawal of troops.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Jul/Week3/15666779.jpg British soldiers and children in Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Andrew%20Mitchell) will declare on Monday that securing progress in the turbulent nation is his "number one priority".
Afghanistan will be the main beneficiary of an ongoing review of where UK taxpayers' cash is spent abroad - with payments to dozens of countries set to be reduced or axed.
International development is one of only two Whitehall budgets - along with health - to be protected from spending cuts being imposed by the Treasury.
But, with opinion polls showing most voters want aid slashed before domestic spending, Mr Mitchell is under pressure to justify the protection given to the department.
The extra cash will be focused on stabilising 80 key districts, bolstering the Afghan economy and "getting the government to a place where it can meet the basic needs of its people".
Mr Mitchell also wants to boost education, with an aim of getting six million children into school within two years and tens of thousands of Afghans into vocational training.
Video
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2009/Dec/Week3/15505849.jpg 2:00 (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Afghan-Health-Workers-Plea-For-Aid/Video/201002115543843?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_1&lid=VIDEO_15543843_Afghan_Health_Workers_Plea_For_ Aid)
Feb 06,2010
Afghan Health Workers' Plea For Aidhttp://news.sky.com/sky-news/app/img/chv_12_red.gif (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Afghan-Health-Workers-Plea-For-Aid/Video/201002115543843?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_1&lid=VIDEO_15543843_Afghan_Health_Workers_Plea_For_ Aid)
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[URL="http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Afghanistan-British-Troops-To-Be-Pulled-Out-Of-Sangin-Where-Nearly-Third-Of-UK-Deaths-Occurred/Article/201007115660515?lpos=UK_News_Article_Related_Conte nt_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15660515_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _To_Be_Pulled_Out_Of_Sangin_Where_Nearly_Third_Of_ UK_Deaths_Occurred"]http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2010/Jun/Week4/15653150.jpg (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/David-Beckham-Answers-Yahoo-Questions-England-Star-Describes-Recent-Afghanistan-Trip/Video/201007215665315?lpos=video_Article_Related_Content _Region_2&lid=VIDEO_15665315_David_Beckham_Answers_Yahoo%21_ Questions%3A_England_Star_Describes_Recent_Afghani stan_Trip)Jul 07,2010
Fox Confirms Troops To Leave Sangin http://news.sky.com/sky-news/app/img/chv_12_red.gif (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Afghanistan-British-Troops-To-Be-Pulled-Out-Of-Sangin-Where-Nearly-Third-Of-UK-Deaths-Occurred/Article/201007115660515?lpos=UK_News_Article_Related_Conte nt_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15660515_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _To_Be_Pulled_Out_Of_Sangin_Where_Nearly_Third_Of_ UK_Deaths_Occurred)
Your Comments
Sort comments by: Newest Oldest (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Afghanistan-British-Troops-Plan-To-Pull-Out-By-2014-Liam-Fox-Says-And-UK-To-Boost-Aid-Spending/Article/201007315666778?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15666778_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _P#) Recommended (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Afghanistan-British-Troops-Plan-To-Pull-Out-By-2014-Liam-Fox-Says-And-UK-To-Boost-Aid-Spending/Article/201007315666778?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15666778_Afghanistan%3A_British_Troops _P#)
Posted by: Rex Von Reason (http://blogs.news.sky.com/profile/Rex%20Von%20Reason) on July 18, 2010 12:47 PM
'Britain is to boost spending on aid projects in Afghanistan by 40%.'
While Britain's economy collapses and millions are unemployed
on July 18, 2010 11:43 AM
The good news is are troops will be coming home in 4 years time. The bad news is the current daily death rate suggests only 60% will come home alive. Bring them back now.
on July 18, 2010 11:41 AM
I do have to question how a secret document can find its way into the public domain with such ease. If it is accurate and its "leaking" not a planned tactic, then its contents will provide succour and hope to the Taliban, so that all they have to do is either keep out of the way for a few yeas and then reclaim power, or to increase their activities as the withdrawal commences and then claim they have routed the British.
For me, it is a sad shame, as in other conflicts the politicians have stepped back in and the Forces pay the price.