Menu
24/05/2010
Hague 'No Date To Quit' Afghanistan
Foreign Secretary William Hague has refused to set a date for UK troop withdrawal.
He was speaking as the International Development Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell announced that aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan "needs to to get higher priority at the Department of International Development and that this needs to be more closer integrated with work on stabilisation".
The announcement came as he visited Afghanistan alongside the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, and the Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, to take stock of the UK's Afghanistan strategy.
The UK ministers put on a united front after Defence Secretary Liam Fox suggested the focus in Afghanistan should move away from reconstruction.
He had said troops were there for UK security not for "the education policy in a broken 13th-century country".
Foreign Secretary William Hague said that it would be "unwise" and "unhelpful" to set a firm date for withdrawal of UK troops from Afghanistan,
Mr Hague said they should stay until Afghans can manage their own security, and being made to "jump through hoops" to meet a date would not help.
But after talks with Afghan leaders in Kabul he and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell both stressed their commitment to redevelopment.
Before the talks, which took place on an unprecedented trip to Afghanistan by the three Cabinet ministers, Dr Fox argued in the Times newspaper that British troops were not in the country to "fix Afghan society".
In response to these priorities , the Permanent Secretary (Minouche Shafik) has appointed a Western Asia and Stabilisation Director with responsibility for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Stabilisation.
This has been done so that more senior time is devoted to the high priority areas of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Stabilisation.
This change will also allow the Department for International Development to work more closely with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Stabilisation.
The Secretary of State said: "These appointments reflect the need to see the UK's aid work harder in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to bring about stability.
"It is our duty to ensure that aid plays a full a part as possible in countries where conflict is halting progress and leaving people without water, electricity and schooling.
"Following 30 years of conflict, Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world with half of its 25 million people living below the international poverty line and 40% with not enough to eat."
Meanwhile, a marine killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence.
He was Cpl Stephen Walker from Lisburn in Co Antrim. He was 42-years-old and from A Company 40 Commando Royal Marines.
He died on Friday morning after an explosion near Patrol Base Almas, in Sangin, Helmand.
His death brought the total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 286.
(BMcC/GK)
He was speaking as the International Development Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell announced that aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan "needs to to get higher priority at the Department of International Development and that this needs to be more closer integrated with work on stabilisation".
The announcement came as he visited Afghanistan alongside the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, and the Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, to take stock of the UK's Afghanistan strategy.
The UK ministers put on a united front after Defence Secretary Liam Fox suggested the focus in Afghanistan should move away from reconstruction.
He had said troops were there for UK security not for "the education policy in a broken 13th-century country".
Foreign Secretary William Hague said that it would be "unwise" and "unhelpful" to set a firm date for withdrawal of UK troops from Afghanistan,
Mr Hague said they should stay until Afghans can manage their own security, and being made to "jump through hoops" to meet a date would not help.
But after talks with Afghan leaders in Kabul he and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell both stressed their commitment to redevelopment.
Before the talks, which took place on an unprecedented trip to Afghanistan by the three Cabinet ministers, Dr Fox argued in the Times newspaper that British troops were not in the country to "fix Afghan society".
In response to these priorities , the Permanent Secretary (Minouche Shafik) has appointed a Western Asia and Stabilisation Director with responsibility for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Stabilisation.
This has been done so that more senior time is devoted to the high priority areas of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Stabilisation.
This change will also allow the Department for International Development to work more closely with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Stabilisation.
The Secretary of State said: "These appointments reflect the need to see the UK's aid work harder in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to bring about stability.
"It is our duty to ensure that aid plays a full a part as possible in countries where conflict is halting progress and leaving people without water, electricity and schooling.
"Following 30 years of conflict, Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world with half of its 25 million people living below the international poverty line and 40% with not enough to eat."
Meanwhile, a marine killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence.
He was Cpl Stephen Walker from Lisburn in Co Antrim. He was 42-years-old and from A Company 40 Commando Royal Marines.
He died on Friday morning after an explosion near Patrol Base Almas, in Sangin, Helmand.
His death brought the total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 286.
(BMcC/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 September 2006
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
01 October 2003
Straw pledges to maintain peace in Afghanistan
Following a meeting with Afghan president Hamid Karzai, the Foreign Secretary has said that Britain and the Afghan people remain "united" in ensuring that there would be a lasting peace in the country.
Straw pledges to maintain peace in Afghanistan
Following a meeting with Afghan president Hamid Karzai, the Foreign Secretary has said that Britain and the Afghan people remain "united" in ensuring that there would be a lasting peace in the country.
15 June 2006
More troops sent to Afghanistan
The British government is to increase the size of the contingent of troops serving in Afghanistan. The move comes to reinforce positions around the Kandahar airfield with an extra 130 troops from the RAF Regiment.
More troops sent to Afghanistan
The British government is to increase the size of the contingent of troops serving in Afghanistan. The move comes to reinforce positions around the Kandahar airfield with an extra 130 troops from the RAF Regiment.
16 November 2005
Clarke to extradite terror suspect
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced plans to extradite British terror suspect Babar Ahmad to the US to face terrorism charges. Mr Ahmad, 31, an IT worker from Tooting, south London, is accused of raising money to support terrorist activity in Chechnya and Afghanistan via internet sites and emails.
Clarke to extradite terror suspect
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced plans to extradite British terror suspect Babar Ahmad to the US to face terrorism charges. Mr Ahmad, 31, an IT worker from Tooting, south London, is accused of raising money to support terrorist activity in Chechnya and Afghanistan via internet sites and emails.
30 March 2007
Chancellor and Defence Secretary visit troops in Afghanistan
Chancellor Gordon Brown and Defence Secretary Des Browne are on a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit British troops, senior commanders and civilian staff. The Chancellor will announce that the UK will provide an additional £15 million for economic development, which will be used to support the Afghan government's National Solidarity Programme.
Chancellor and Defence Secretary visit troops in Afghanistan
Chancellor Gordon Brown and Defence Secretary Des Browne are on a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit British troops, senior commanders and civilian staff. The Chancellor will announce that the UK will provide an additional £15 million for economic development, which will be used to support the Afghan government's National Solidarity Programme.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
