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10/12/2007
PM's Christmas Tour Continues With Afghanistan
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has reaffirmed Britain's commitment to Afghanistan on security and economic development issues during a surprise visit to British troops in the country.
Just days after he praised troops in Iraq during his visit there, he has now told a joint press conference with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai that UK forces would provide assistance to Afghan troops "in the coming years".
He also pointed to important economic and social development work such as school building, the provision of healthcare and the support of local business creation.
The Prime Minister's visit to Afghanistan came as British troops engaged in operations with Taliban forces in the town of Musa Qala in the Helmand province.
Just days ago, Sergeant Lee Johnson, 33, of 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in the assault when a mine ripped apart the vehicle he was in and another soldier was also seriously injured in the same incident.
Mr Brown said that the decision to enter the town was taken by Afghan authorities and that Afghan troops were leading the action.
Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister addressed soldiers in the UK base of Camp Bastion in the south of the country. He paid tribute to their professionalism and their role in tackling the Taliban and strengthening democracy in Afghanistan.
He called operations against the Taliban "one of the most important missions" and praised British troops for their "huge bravery in very difficult circumstances".
Mr Brown said: "I want to thank every one of you for what you have done in what is the front line against the Taliban. Because this is one of the most challenging of environments, it is one of the most difficult of tasks, it is the most testing of times and it is one of the most important of missions because to win here and to defeat the Taliban and to make sure that we can give strength to the new democracy of Afghanistan is important in defeating terrorism all round the world.
"We are so proud of what you are doing and I am privileged to say today that the whole of Britain is proud of what you are doing," he concluded.
(KMcA)
Just days after he praised troops in Iraq during his visit there, he has now told a joint press conference with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai that UK forces would provide assistance to Afghan troops "in the coming years".
He also pointed to important economic and social development work such as school building, the provision of healthcare and the support of local business creation.
The Prime Minister's visit to Afghanistan came as British troops engaged in operations with Taliban forces in the town of Musa Qala in the Helmand province.
Just days ago, Sergeant Lee Johnson, 33, of 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in the assault when a mine ripped apart the vehicle he was in and another soldier was also seriously injured in the same incident.
Mr Brown said that the decision to enter the town was taken by Afghan authorities and that Afghan troops were leading the action.
Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister addressed soldiers in the UK base of Camp Bastion in the south of the country. He paid tribute to their professionalism and their role in tackling the Taliban and strengthening democracy in Afghanistan.
He called operations against the Taliban "one of the most important missions" and praised British troops for their "huge bravery in very difficult circumstances".
Mr Brown said: "I want to thank every one of you for what you have done in what is the front line against the Taliban. Because this is one of the most challenging of environments, it is one of the most difficult of tasks, it is the most testing of times and it is one of the most important of missions because to win here and to defeat the Taliban and to make sure that we can give strength to the new democracy of Afghanistan is important in defeating terrorism all round the world.
"We are so proud of what you are doing and I am privileged to say today that the whole of Britain is proud of what you are doing," he concluded.
(KMcA)
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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.
02 August 2010
More Soldiers Die In Afghanistan Conflict
Two more British troops have paid the ultimate price this past weekend after Taliban forces shot dead one British soldier and killed another in a bomb attack in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province.
More Soldiers Die In Afghanistan Conflict
Two more British troops have paid the ultimate price this past weekend after Taliban forces shot dead one British soldier and killed another in a bomb attack in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province.
16 October 2008
Household Cavalry Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed while on patrol in the southern province of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced. The soldier died after an explosion 14 miles north of the Taliban stronghold of Helmand yesterday. The MoD said the soldier had served in D Squadron of the Household Cavalry regiment.
Household Cavalry Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed while on patrol in the southern province of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced. The soldier died after an explosion 14 miles north of the Taliban stronghold of Helmand yesterday. The MoD said the soldier had served in D Squadron of the Household Cavalry regiment.
15 September 2008
Para Killed In Afghanistan Named
A British soldier killed while on routine patrol in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand Province, in southern Afghanistan, has been named as Lance Corporal Nicky Mason. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the 26-year-old's death today, bringing the total of British lives lost in the conflict to 120, since 2001.
Para Killed In Afghanistan Named
A British soldier killed while on routine patrol in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand Province, in southern Afghanistan, has been named as Lance Corporal Nicky Mason. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the 26-year-old's death today, bringing the total of British lives lost in the conflict to 120, since 2001.
09 October 2009
221st Soldier Dies In Afghanistan
As the Queen remembered veterans of the Iraq conflict today in London, news came through of a further tragedy on the current 'frontline. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that a soldier, who was serving with 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, has died in an explosion near Camp Bastion, in central Helmand, Afghanistan.
221st Soldier Dies In Afghanistan
As the Queen remembered veterans of the Iraq conflict today in London, news came through of a further tragedy on the current 'frontline. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that a soldier, who was serving with 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, has died in an explosion near Camp Bastion, in central Helmand, Afghanistan.
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