[chottala.com] British troops could be in Afghanistan for decades: minister

 

British troops could be in Afghanistan for decades: minister

13 hours ago

LONDON (AFP) — British troops could be in Afghanistan for decades, the country's Defence Secretary Des Browne said in comments published Sunday.

Asked by The People weekly newspaper when Britain's soldiers would withdraw from Afghanistan, Browne said: "We cannot risk it again becoming an ungoverned training haven for terrorists who threaten the UK.

"But there is only so much our forces can achieve. The job can only be completed by the international community working with the Afghan government and its army.

"It is a commitment which could last decades, although it will reduce over time."

Browne's comments echo those of the head of the army, senior figures in the security services and former prime minister Tony Blair that the battle against Islamist extremism could last a generation.

The current prime minister Gordon Brown visited British troops in southern Afghanistan last month and told President Hamid Karzai of Britain's commitment to the country's long-term success.

Britain has about 7,800 troops in Afghanistan as part of a 40,000-strong UN-sanctioned, NATO-led force aimed at helping reconstruction and fighting Taliban militia.

	Photo 1 of 2
A British NATO soldier in Musa Qala

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PRESS TV British troops could be in Afghanistan for decades : minister AFP - 12 hours ago LONDON (AFP) — British troops could be in Afghanistan for decades, the country's Defence Secretary Des Browne said in comments published Sunday. ... UK Defence Secretary says Britain could be in Afghanistan for decades The Canadian Press Afghanistan is long-term - Browne The Press Association all 181 news articles » Soldier's death in Afghanistan blamed on helicopter fault Guardian Unlimited, UK - 3 hours ago Des Browne, the defence secretary, said yesterday that Britain could be engaged in Afghanistan for decades . He added in an interview with the People: "But ...   Dutch Troops Kill 4 in Friendly Fire The Associated Press - 8 hours ago Meanwhile, a newspaper quoted British Defense Secretary Des Browne as saying the country could be engaged in Afghanistan for decades . ...   Iraq war has been terrible, says minister Times Online, UK - 7 hours ago In a separate interview, Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, gave a warning that British troops could be in Afghanistan for decades . Under current policy the ...

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