More NATO Troops for Afghanistan

[ProfessionalStudent]

The Times Online this morning.

Times Online

But though he continued to dazzle Europeans on his debut international tour, the Continent’s leaders turned their backs on the US President.

Gordon Brown was the only one to offer substantial help. He offered to send several hundred extra British soldiers to provide security during the August election, but even that fell short of the thousands of combat troops that the US was hoping to prise from the Prime Minister.

Just two other allies made firm offers of troops. Belgium offered to send 35 military trainers and Spain offered 12. Mr Obama’s host, Nicolas Sarkozy, refused his request.

Thanks NATO, thanks Europe. No, really, thanks a lot..

[Mighty Quercus]

NATO pledge 5000 troops to Afghan, Gordon Brown when quizzed at the conference by journos would not state how many British Troops will be committed. Got to run it by the Commons next week

But going by previous deployments I think the UK will be the lion's share of that 5000.

[soddim]

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Extra Nato troops for Afghan poll

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that 900 new troops would come from Britain, 600 from Germany and 600 from Spain. Italy and France were fresh committing forces, too, he added.

So, only another 900 to find........

[Double Zero]

Now, when our forces are being accused of various atrocities, ( a sad joke compared to the locals ) would seem to be the perfect time to pull out, save any more of our guys and leave the sods to it and see how they get on...it's always been unwinnable while we play by the rules ( no cluster bombs etc ) and the Taliban don't even understand rules; so it seems to me, gloves off or leave them to it.

[skua]

Surely the point is that if Cyclops commits another 900 of our best, they will be front line, patrolling, in the thick of it, etc. The numbers committed by our dear NATO allies in Strasbourg, will prove to be helpers, caterers, trainers, anything-but-the-front-line. Which will do nothing to alleviate the strain on our boys.

I hope I am proved wrong, but I don't think Cyclops and Barrack have persuaded their NATO colleagues to share any more of the danger.


Skua

[recceguy]

And why should we share any part of this disaster ? just because americans are asking it ? let them die alone in the mountains
This war is running on a timely and parallel course with the Vietnam one - just wait for another couple of years, and you will understand better what I mean

[mick2088]

I hope I am proved wrong, but I don't think any Cyclops and Barrack have persuaded their NATO colleagues to share any more of the danger.

Nope. Most of these new troops will be deployed for the elections or to train the Afghan National Army only. Expect the likes of Spain, France and Germany to deploy their extra troops anywhere in the country... except the east or south that is.

[MechGov]

Is this the price that the Armed Forces must pay for 2.8% and the payback to the President for making Gordo look like a Statesman?

[Blighter Pilot]

Some more tight leather short wearing European troops to sit behind the fence at KIAI Nappa and the rest of their MOBs

More UK, US and Canadian troops in Helmland doing the actual war-fighting.

And the UK is thinking about committing to a EU army?

Fk off Brussels - and why do we want France back in NATO after their complete refusual to send more troops under a NATO request?

Thank god the cold war never got hot

[0497]

... Canadian troops in Helmland ....

Kandahar province? Me though the Danes are in helmand.

[Doctor Cruces]

We couldn't beat the Afghans on the North West Frontier in the late 1800s, the Russians couldn't beat them in the late 1900s, what makes Gordo and his pals think we can beat them this time?

Get out before more of us are killed in a fruitless political gesture.


Doc C

[exscribbler]

I recall the Spanish withdrawing their 3500 troops after the Madrid train bombings. They were replaced by 800 Royal Marines which struck me as a fair swop...

We must not expect our wonderful NATO allies (apart from those involved now) to help out in any way in the dangerous parts of Afghanistan. They've got some nice uniforms, though, don't you think?

That said, just imagine what an EU army would be like, particularly if it were "led" by the French.

[airborne_artist]

They were replaced by 800 Royal Marines which struck me as a fair swop...

I'd have thought that was excessively generous - 350 Royals would be more like it. I remember my 705 beefer (QFI) Nige N**** remarking on the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and telling me we'd be in there. I didn't believe him

[grizzled]

0497

There are indeed Canadian troops in Hellmand province. The frontline NATO troops in Hellmand are mostly British, with a significant number of Danes and Canucks. You are quite right that most Canadian troops are now in Kandahar province, along with a lot of Brits, Americans, and others.

grizz

[Ronald Reagan]

We should probably be leaving Aghanistan and not putting any more troops in! How are we ever going to win!?
The Europeans probably think this is not their war and does not directly involve them.
If we do face this huge terror threat then would it not be easier to deport ANY supporters of islam from UK/Europe/USA to their countries of origin and ban anymore from ever visiting our nations!? Its simple really but if we remove the whole threat group from our nations then the terrorist threat will become nil!

[Winch-control]

Ronald, you are correct.
However is it not the European legal system that Britain has now succumed to, that means not only do we accept these people into the country, and indeed pay to keep them here, we also pay them extra for keeping them waiting to pay them all their benefits!
And to make matters worse, some of those involved are active in promoting anti UK / Christian / White / British values! Not that there's anything wrong with that....as long as I don't get arrested for supporting war against the Jihad!
A two state law, one politically correct, another for the the majority....

[skua]

Can't find a mention on here of the C4 programme, Despatches, last night, but that quite eloquently pointed out the holes in our mission objectives, and the lack of agreement between MoD, commanders, and politicos about what we should be attempting. Also pointed out that the US military are (or have become) more self-critical of their performance there, and maybe we should do the same.

CDS probably did not increase the size of his fan club last night.

[Diesel Fitter]

Errrrrm - would now be a good time to gently mention that Australia has not offered any more troops either.

Indeed why should we?

Some 1100 bodies on the ground there and more than a few returned and now under the ground back home.

Particularly when we were specifically excluded from a place at the table at the recent NATO discussions on troop levels.

I guess the Brit attitude towards us upstart colonials as mere cannon fodder has changed little since Western Front days.

But please excuse me if I've missed acknowledgement of the Aussie contribution earlier in this thread.

[tilleydog1]

Dispatches C4

This is my first post so please be gentle with me! I usually just read this forum because although it's almost thirty years since demob, I still feel an attachment to the services of this country.

I watched the Dispatches programme on Ch 4 last night and quite frankly was horrified at some of the comments the CDS made, particularly in relation to the use of snatch Land Rovers. He seemed to imply that it was more important for service personnel to be seen, thus spreading the 'Hearts and Minds ' mantra , than protecting them from harm.

I thought that his responsibility ( and the CGS) was first and foremost to the men and women under his command, am I wrong?

Regarding the mission statement, it seems that there no longer is one.

[Finnpog]

Aussie military contributions

Just for the record.

According to 'The Australian' yesterday reference at:

Australia to boost Afghanistan war effort | The Australian

Overall Oz troops - 5000