Brown Urges Sharing Of Afghan 'Burden'

Prime Minister Gordon has called upon the international community to share the "long-term burden" of the military campaign in Afghanistan.

Speaking in a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Downing Street, the Prime Minister stressed that the UK was committed to the "long-term success" of Afghanistan and would not allow the Taliban to regain control.

He said that Britain's efforts in Afghanistan were a "top foreign policy priority" and that he was determined that the country "should never be a failed state again".

Mr Brown said: "Afghanistan is the front line against the Taliban. We cannot allow the Taliban to be back in control of such an important country. The work that has been done in the last six years to build a democracy is an important bulwark against terrorism everywhere in the world.

"We know that the long-term solutions are not simply defence and security. We are determined to work with the Afghan government to make sure the people have a stake in the future of Afghanistan."

The Prime Minister added that "combined efforts" had put the Taliban on the defensive and established Afghanistan as an "important bulwark" against terrorism.

Mr Karzai echoed Mr Brown's call for international assistance while promising progress on Afghanistan's drive to take a greater role in security operations.

He said: "Burden sharing is necessary if we in the international community are to succeed against terror. Is it time to leave Afghanistan? No. Is it time to add more responsibility to the Afghan people? Yes?"

Both leaders also stressed the importance of economic reconstruction, particularly projects aimed at bringing electricity and irrigation to rural areas, and the expansion of education to children denied access to schooling under the Taliban regime.

The statements came as Nato defence ministers met for a second day to hear calls for more troops, helicopters and equipment to be sent to Afghanistan.

The UK has a deployment of 7,700 troops in Afghanistan, which make up around one-fifth of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in the country.

(KMcA)