PM MUST RETHINK NOT RE-STATE AFGHAN STRATEGY

Commenting after the Prime Minister delivered a speech on Afghanistan this afternoon (Friday) SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP repeated calls for a rethink of UK strategy warning that a re-statement of the mission was not enough to convince people that the best strategy was being pursued.

Mr Robertson, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, has repeatedly called for a strategic review of operations and objectives.

Mr Robertson said:

“If Gordon Brown wants to convince people the best course is being pursued he must rethink strategy, not just re-state it. The fact is, the prime minister cannot convince his own MPs the best strategy is being pursued, never mind the public or our forces themselves.

“Gordon Brown does not seem to recognise that we need a major rethink to win hearts and minds here at home as well as the support of people in Afghanistan .

“That strategic review of operations must convince people that a proper strategy and proper objectives are being pursued with the likelihood of success. Right now people are not even sure that our forces are getting the equipment they need to do the job.

“The Taliban were meant to have been defeated eight years ago, but after operations exceeding the length of the Second World War, the fact that fighting has gotten worse underlines the folly of the Labour government's decision to take us into Iraq . Distracted by the Iraq quagmire, the government took its eye off the ball in Afghanistan .

“Now, the awful toll of military personnel killed in Afghanistan , along with questions over the legitimacy of the Afghan elections, has left people asking just what our forces are fighting for.

“It is time we had a major rethink that looks at all the options, and that will give people, not least our troops themselves, the confidence that the right strategy is being pursued and is achievable.”

AS AFGHANISTAN GOES TO POLLS, UK MUST RECONSIDER STRATEGY

As the people of Afghanistan go to the polls in today’s (Thursday) elections, the SNP has reiterated calls for a strategic rethink of operations in Afghanistan .

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, said that a candid review of strategy is essential to convince people that the UK government has an achievable strategy.

The run up to the Afghan presidential election has seen very heavy losses with the number of British service personnel lost in the conflict exceeding 200 with serious questions being asked of the UK ’s approach. In recent days, head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has called for more resources warning that key shortages are undermining operations to protect troops from roadside bombs while the UK’s former ambassador to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, says the army has been "holding a wall up" in Helmand, but "no one has come along to build a buttress" of development.

Mr Robertson said:

“Earlier this year I saw at first hand the reality of the situation facing our brave forces, now is the time for total candour on the human and material cost of the ongoing operations, its timescale and its chances for success.

“In recent months, senior military sources have raised real concerns about the resources being made available while the UK ’s former ambassador to the UN has questioned the lack of development policy in the region.

“History shows that conflicts in Afghanistan are incredibly complex. We need to avoid mission creep by focusing on what it is we want to achieve in Afghanistan .

“It is imperative we undertake a major review of our strategy – a review of both deployment of resources and political objectives.”

EVE OF ELECTION CALL AFGHAN STRATEGY RETHINK

DANNATT RESOURCE CONCERNS PILE ON PRESSURE

On the eve of the Afghan elections the SNP has repeated calls for a strategic rethink of operations in Afghanistan . The calls come as the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has called for more resources warning that key shortages are undermining operations to protect troops from roadside bombs.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, has argued that a candid review of strategy is essential to convince people that the government has an achievable strategy.

Mr Robertson said:

“General Dannatt’s calls must be a wake up call for Ministers and his intervention heaps even more pressure on the Government for a major rethink about operations and resources in Afghanistan .

“In particular General Dannatt’s demand for more surveillance systems raises serious questions just as the MoD has cancelled the Soothsayer intelligence system and as Ministers review plans to buy or upgrade surveillance aircraft.

“There are also doubts over the future of the Reaper drones used to locate Taliban forces. At present only two of the five drones ordered are operating, and it has emerged that the third has not been cleared to fly in US airspace for training purposes while the remaining two are not scheduled to be delivered until 2010.

“These concerns clearly add to growing fears that resource limitations are contributing to the deaths of service personnel in Afghanistan , and Ministers need to address that immediately.

“As well as getting the resources they need, our military personnel deserve a realistic and focussed approach from the UK government – and Ministers must take the initiative after the Afghan elections to rethink our strategy and objectives reflecting the wider regional concerns.

“Earlier this year I saw at first hand the reality of the situation facing our brave forces, now is the time for total candour on the human and material cost of the ongoing operations, its timescale and its chances for success.”