The Government is fast losing control over Afghanistan.  Putting aside partisan politics, our unified duty is to ensure that our troops operate to clear objectives, have the best resources behind them, to limit potential dangers to them and reduce the increasing death toll.  But it does not help that the Prime Minister has again been caught lying.  Thank god that Pinocchio tendencies are not real as Brown would have a nose longer than the river Nile!  This contempt for the British people and telling lies is fast becoming a norm and will be interwoven into his legacy. 

Brown has been calling all week for political parties and politicians not to break cross party support for the war as this undermines our troops and sends the wrong message to the enemy.  He tries to make us feel disloyal and that we are playing into the hands of the enemy by speaking out.  Of course, normally he is right.  But when the strategy is unclear and troops are sent into battle with less than adequate equipment, then people have a right to ask questions…it is OUR COLLECTIVE DUTY.  This weekend, not only do we have the Lib Dems & Conservatives raising questions, former Defence Chief John Hutton is entering into the debate, but we also have more insight into Defence Chiefs unease and even President Karzai of Afghanistan is questioning strategy of troop deployment and whether to negotiate with the Taliban.  All these strands show that Afghanistan is crying out for clear leadership and Brown has failed our soldiers on giving it and letting this situation get out of control.

Let’s look at the evidence from Sunday Newspaper revelations….

Remember this quote from the Prime Minister to the House of Commons, 2 days back?  Field commanders had “assured me that… troops have the equipment that they need”…..well that now appears not to be the case!!!!  ‘Surprise, surprise’ as Cilla would say.

Ever addicted to spin and managing the media, Brown organised a photo opportunity to highlight his support for British war heroes.  A young soldier and a charity fundraiser seriously injured in the war for Iraq joined Gordon on the steps of No.10 for a nice photo for all the national papers to print….making the electorate think of Gordon as a lovely bloke committed to our soldiers.  However, all did not go to plan!  What will be remembered is a quote from Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of the defence staff, and his admission he was “busting a gut”to get more helicopters for Afghanistan.  The quote nails the lie of Brown’s insistence these past few weeks that the mission in Helmand was fully equipped.  What makes Brown think he can get away with telling such porkers that defence Chiefs were happy…the truth always outs! 

This follows hot on the heels of a bad week for the Government that saw a minister anonymously attacking the head of the army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, as a “total c***”.   This enraged the army so much that they spoke out and hence defied every unwritten convention dictating that generals do not meddle in politics, and that politicians remain impartial.  As we know Bob Ainsworth had to write to all his Ministers to rein them in —the sure sign of a man not fit for the job.  Today…humiliatingly, we learn that the ‘real Prime Minister’ Peter Mandolsen has had to intervene to calm the situation and stop negative briefings toward Dannatt.  Bob is fast coming an embarrassment that this Government is carrying…what can Brown do….sack him?….that implies strong leadership!

Helicopters still dominates the news.  Interestingly, the Sunday Telegraph revealed that the Government rejected the opportunity to buy 12 “cut-price” helicopters, which were  nearly ready for operational use in Afghanistan.  Given spending restraints the Government opted to save money and focus on upgrading its own machines. Ministers rejected an offer of a dozen SA 330 Puma transport helicopters from the United Arab Emirates at a cost of about £6 million each.   How much would you price the value of 1 saved soldier?

SA 330 Puma transport helicopters.   

Today, John Hutton, Former Defence Secretary, has powerfully added his voice to the calls for extra troops and helicopters to be provided for British forces in Helmand in an interview in the Sunday Telegraph.  Did you know that there are about 25 British military helicopters in Afghanistan, out of more than 600 operated by the Armed Forces worldwide?   Hutton stated that the mood among troops on the ground was “unequivocal”on the need for more troops, helicopters and protection from roadside bombs.  Hutton predicted that there would be “urgent discussions” taking place on adding to the 9,000-strong British deployment. And he called for a promised review of troop numbers to be brought forward from October. In today’s article, Mr Hutton backed the Government’s strategy of stabilising Afghanistan and defeating those who would offer a safe haven to al Qaida. But he added: “It is going to take more resources to properly execute… “It is clear we need more logistical support to reduce the risk of as much of the troop movements and supply effort as possible.”

Some interesting points from John Hutton….but of course upping the troop numbers without a proportionate increase in helicopters and protective equipment would be foolhardy.  This discussion is not about adding more troops….it is bigger than that.

Last up we learn in the Sunday Times, the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, is questioning strategy.  Karzai has asked the West to reflect on creating a new strategy for Afghanistan, warning that more troops does not go hand in hand with improving security.  “Military operations are no longer enough, We have to rethink the way we do things — without that there won’t be any improvement.”  That is quite a damning insight.  As the number of British troops dieing in Afghanistan reaches its highest numbers, the President of Afghanistan doubts the strategy is working!

But Karzai went one step further.  He called for negotiations with the Taliban!  Karzai would even be prepared for Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader, to attend talks!  Wow this has echoes of Chamberlain and Hitler!  This is smacking of appeasement and if the President of Afghanistan is happy to negotiate with the enemy, it makes you really question what would happy if troops were withdrawn today!  

Let us not forget, as demonstrated by a recent blog article insight into Karzai’s Afghanisatn, that the regime is corrupt.  Take a look here.  http://bit.ly/dLHNL   

Our soldiers and their families deserve better than this current policy, strategic, operational mess we are witnessing.  What is crytsal clear is the bravery of our soldiers who unquestionably put their lives on the line for this country.  Our support is unwavering for them.  But our support for what is right and the truth is also as unwavering and we have a duty to question and speak out! 

The most depressing of sights…fallen British heroes brought home in coffins.  No more….