Sea Jet

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Lazer-Hound

I can't help but agree with you on the dogged support of US foreign policy. There was a time when I believed that we, at least, provided some guidance and, where needed, experience honed restraint on events. Our current lot seem neither inclined nor capable of that, though.

This far down the line, the Lords' Hansard, 25 MAR 02 makes interesting reading; http://www.parliament.the-stationery...t/20325-15.htm. CDS's comment before the preceding Christmas also look prophetic now; "Whatever the choices we make, and for whatever reason, we must ensure that those decisions maintain our freedom of strategic choice; but we will have to decide soon whether we make a commitment to a broader campaign (widening the war), or make a longer term commitment to Afghanistan. Recent military success must be capitalised upon, so it is not a question of whether we will trap our hand in the mangle, but of which mangle we trap it in".

It will be recalled that it was Adml Boyce who explained at length to the PM that commitments could not be fulfilled within the existing resources. The PM's simple solution was that the Admiral should convince the Chancellor of the Exchequer that funds should be increased. What a leader we have in the PM.