Britain Offers More Troops For Afghanistan If Allies Refuse

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 9-10-2006 | Mark Townsend

[blam]

Britain offers more troops for Afghanistan if allies refuse

Mark Townsend, defence correspondent
Sunday September 10, 2006
The Observer (UK)

More British troops and helicopters are on standby for deployment to Afghanistan, a highly controversial development that will compound unease over UK operations in the increasingly volatile Helmand province. If other members of the Nato alliance refuse to supply the reinforcements of soldiers and equipment demanded by its military chief, Whitehall sources have conceded for the first time that extra UK troops will make up the shortfall.

Despite concerns that the British army is being stretched too far, The Observer has learnt that defence officials have already identified additional troops and equipment available for deployment to southern Afghanistan. But senior defence officials insist it remains too early to discuss potential numbers.

General James Jones, the American head of Nato in Europe, has said he wants at least 2,000 more soldiers to quash the Taliban before winter. The failure of key members of the 26-nation alliance to provide the required reinforcements has caused consternation among Whitehall defence strategists who are keenly aware that sending more troops to Helmand risks increased political damage.

Britain is understood to have volunteered more troops during talks in Warsaw yesterday between Nato defence chiefs, but only on condition that other nations remain reluctant to send service personnel to Helmand. 'If they [Nato partners] don't send, then we will. We have soldiers and helicopters we can send to Afghanistan,' said a senior defence source.

Talks yesterday attempted to persuade Nato nations such as Germany and Spain to send their troops to Helmand. Currently both countries operate only in the relatively safe northern and western regions and so far remained reticent to send soldiers into the riskiest areas of Afghanistan.

[ekwd]

Good for Tommy.

[Borian]

At least some countries remember what they are supposed to do in response to an allied request. I would hope we would respond in kind to a request from the Brits...

[Ninian Dryhope]

26 nations and they can't pony up an additional 2,000 troops. What a pitiful little joke Europe has become. One Tony Blair is gone, Britain will join the weak sisters.

[Last Dakotan]

If this is the case, they are not allies

[lmr]

What a pitiful little joke Europe has become.

Some of them think they should still be enjoying "The Peace Dividend" as talked about highly by the Toon administration.

If NATO was this way during the cold war, we'd all be drinking Vodka and speaking Russian while we were waiting in a long line for toilet paper. Either that, or Nuclear Annhiliation. I for one would take the latter.

[Mac1]

Blair's likely successor is likely to be Gordon Brown, whom, I understand is equally supportive of the WOT. What annoys is other countries refusing to send troops. Then again, it might not come to that.