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[UK] General Sir David Richards: Afghans losing patience with Nato 'failure'
The Telegraph ^ | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6203170/General-Sir-David-Richards-Afghans-losin | James Kirkup,

Posted on 09/17/2009 8:11:14 PM PDT by bruinbirdman

New head of the British Army, has said that Afghans are losing patience with Nato’s “failure” to deliver progress in the battle with the Taliban.

Sir David insisted that the alliance can still succeed in Afghanistan, but warned that Western forces risk losing the support of the Afghan population.

In his first speech since becoming Chief of the General Staff, Sir David also warned that Britain’s Armed Forces need fundamental reform to prepare them for a generation of irregular conflicts like the Afghan war.

Sir David takes up his post as the Western mission in Afghanistan faces growing questions from voters and politicians. A mounting British death toll and doubts about the integrity of recent Afghan elections have fuelled doubts about campaign.

Eight years after Nato forces entered Afghanistan, the Taliban insurgency continues, corruption and drug production remain widespread and the country is still one of the world’s poorest.

In a frank assessment of the situation, Sir David said: “Over 80 per cent of the Afghan population still doggedly want their government and the international community to succeed, although their patience with our failure to meet the expectations of progress we ironically have done much to create is undoubtedly beginning to flag.”

Still, he insisted that “despite their frustrations with the speed of progress”, the majority of Afghans remain supportive of the Western intervention.

After reviewing the Nato mission in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, the head of allied forces in the country, is soon expected to make a formal request for more Western troops.

British ministers are wary of adding to the 9,000 British personnel currently deployed, but Sir David hinted at support for a reinforcement.

He said: “We should be part of that process, preserving our relationship with the USA in the process but, more

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: mhmmdnsm09172009; nationalsecurity; nsp; nss

1 posted on 09/17/2009 8:11:14 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
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To: bruinbirdman

Then NATO better step up because the zero sure isn’t going to.


2 posted on 09/17/2009 8:13:27 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (The Second Amendment. Don't MAKE me use it.)
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To: bruinbirdman

The Afghans are losing patience? Then let them fight them. Just more ungrateful Muslims who do not deserve our blood or money. Muslims believe that the Western world owes them. Screw them.


3 posted on 09/17/2009 8:14:43 PM PDT by Islaminaction
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To: bruinbirdman
General Sir David Richards: Afghans losing patience with Nato 0bama 'failure'
 

4 posted on 09/17/2009 8:20:54 PM PDT by counterpunch (In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.)
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To: bruinbirdman

Please inform the Afghans that FAILURE is actually Obama’s middle name, not Hussein....../s


5 posted on 09/17/2009 8:21:19 PM PDT by cranked
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Obama has no published National Security Policy.

It’s no wonder the Military Leaders are confused.

Goldwater/Nichols act requires the POTUS publish a National Security Strategy/Policy.


6 posted on 09/17/2009 8:25:47 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (A mob of one.)
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To: Blood of Tyrants
"Then NATO better step up because the zero sure isn’t going to."

Right.

Poland should be happy to up their manpower contribution in Afghanistan since The Obammunist has alleviated their need to man those ABM systems.

yitbos

7 posted on 09/17/2009 8:41:19 PM PDT by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds.")
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To: bruinbirdman

From what I can see, every Afghan male over the age of eight has a gun. Let them fight. If they don’t want to fight, then it’s not up to us to fight in their place.

When every Afghan is fighting, and if they need help, then I’m more than ready to support giving them all the aid they need.


8 posted on 09/17/2009 10:06:55 PM PDT by CondorFlight (I)
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To: Islaminaction

*The Afghans are losing patience? Then let them fight them. Just more ungrateful Muslims who do not deserve our blood or money. *

Carpet. F*cking. Bomb.

All of ‘em. The buzzards will clean up the mess.


9 posted on 09/17/2009 10:45:14 PM PDT by j-damn
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