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01/10/2003
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.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, and the Secretary of State for International Development, Baroness Amos, today met with Mr Karzai at the margins of the Labour Party Conference.
Speaking after their meeting, the Foreign Secretary said: "I congratulated President Karzai on the progress his government has made in restoring peace and stability to Afghanistan and improving the lives of ordinary Afghans.
"In December, the Afghan people will have a unique opportunity to contribute to the drafting of their first post-Taliban constitution and to choose a system of government which reflects their values and aspirations.
"I stressed the UK's commitment to support the Afghan government in their fight against drugs. There are no overnight solutions to ridding Afghanistan of the illegal narcotics trade. But the Afghan people need not doubt our commitment to support their efforts to remove a scourge that poisons all our societies."
The Constitutional Loya Jirga to be held in Kabul in December will comprise 500 delegates consisting of 450 elected delegates and 50 delegates appointed by Karzai. At least 19% of these will be women.
The UK is lead nation on counter-narcotics in Afghanistan and has committed £70 million over the next three years to support implementation of Afghanistan's National Drug Control Strategy. The strategy is based upon: improved drugs law enforcement; promoting alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers; capacity-building for Afghan drugs institutions; and public awareness campaigns/treatment programmes to help reduce demand.
NATO is currently conducting a review of the role and structure of ISAF to ensure it remains relevant to the changing security situation. The UK PRT in Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan is helping to facilitate an improved security environment and promote reconstruction and security sector reform.
(gmcg)
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, and the Secretary of State for International Development, Baroness Amos, today met with Mr Karzai at the margins of the Labour Party Conference.
Speaking after their meeting, the Foreign Secretary said: "I congratulated President Karzai on the progress his government has made in restoring peace and stability to Afghanistan and improving the lives of ordinary Afghans.
"In December, the Afghan people will have a unique opportunity to contribute to the drafting of their first post-Taliban constitution and to choose a system of government which reflects their values and aspirations.
"I stressed the UK's commitment to support the Afghan government in their fight against drugs. There are no overnight solutions to ridding Afghanistan of the illegal narcotics trade. But the Afghan people need not doubt our commitment to support their efforts to remove a scourge that poisons all our societies."
The Constitutional Loya Jirga to be held in Kabul in December will comprise 500 delegates consisting of 450 elected delegates and 50 delegates appointed by Karzai. At least 19% of these will be women.
The UK is lead nation on counter-narcotics in Afghanistan and has committed £70 million over the next three years to support implementation of Afghanistan's National Drug Control Strategy. The strategy is based upon: improved drugs law enforcement; promoting alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers; capacity-building for Afghan drugs institutions; and public awareness campaigns/treatment programmes to help reduce demand.
NATO is currently conducting a review of the role and structure of ISAF to ensure it remains relevant to the changing security situation. The UK PRT in Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan is helping to facilitate an improved security environment and promote reconstruction and security sector reform.
(gmcg)
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28 January 2010
Karzai In London For Afghan Talks
The gradual handover of Afghan security matters to the country's own administration will begin this year, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today. Meeting with the Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in London, Mr Brown conceded difficult times still lie ahead for the region.
Karzai In London For Afghan Talks
The gradual handover of Afghan security matters to the country's own administration will begin this year, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today. Meeting with the Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in London, Mr Brown conceded difficult times still lie ahead for the region.
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.
06 July 2011
PM Announces UK Troop Withdrawals From Afghanistan
The UK will be able to reduce its force levels in Afghanistan from 9,500 to 9,000 by the end of 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron announced today. This follows the withdrawal of 426 UK military personnel by February 2012 that has already been announced.
PM Announces UK Troop Withdrawals From Afghanistan
The UK will be able to reduce its force levels in Afghanistan from 9,500 to 9,000 by the end of 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron announced today. This follows the withdrawal of 426 UK military personnel by February 2012 that has already been announced.
23 June 2011
UK Welcomes US Troop Reduction In Afghanistan
The British Prime Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff have both welcomed the announcement that the US will be withdrawing 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. US President Barack Obama announced last night that 10,000 US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year and another 23,000 by the end of September 2012.
UK Welcomes US Troop Reduction In Afghanistan
The British Prime Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff have both welcomed the announcement that the US will be withdrawing 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. US President Barack Obama announced last night that 10,000 US troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year and another 23,000 by the end of September 2012.
11 October 2010
Tragedy As Afghanistan Command Changes
As news of the latest fatality in the troubled country emerged last Friday, the overall command in Afghanistan has changed. Task Force Helmand is now under the control of a new Army brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade, which formally took over as the lead formation from 4th Mechanized Brigade.
Tragedy As Afghanistan Command Changes
As news of the latest fatality in the troubled country emerged last Friday, the overall command in Afghanistan has changed. Task Force Helmand is now under the control of a new Army brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade, which formally took over as the lead formation from 4th Mechanized Brigade.
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