Downing Street Says » Afghanistan

» Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Afghanistan

Asked if the fact that we were sending the biggest parachute regiment into Afghanistan signified a stepping up to a more aggressive profile, the PMS replied that these were all operational decisions for the Ministry of Defence. It was for them to decide exactly what the composition of the troops should be. Overall force numbers would remain around the same, as the Prime Minister signalled in December that they would do.

Asked if there was any more of a positive response coming from the Europeans for participating more in Afghanistan, the PMS replied that our position was that we wanted to see more burden sharing. There was a NATO summit coming up in the next few days where it was likely that Foreign Ministers would discuss the matter.

Asked for the Prime Minister’s view on this, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister’s view was as he said in December – he would like to see more burden sharing.

Asked how concerned the Prime Minister was with US/UK relations with the Afghan Government, the PMS replied that we would not accept the premise of the question. We fully supported the Afghan Government and continued to work with them.

Asked if the current position on Afghanistan could be described as at crisis point, the PMS replied that again he would not accept the premise of question. We had always said in relation to Afghanistan that this was a situation that would take time to resolve. It was not only a military issue, it was an economic development and political issue as well. And that was why the Prime Minister had set out a comprehensive long-term strategy for Afghanistan dealing with all those different strands, in a statement to the House in December.

Asked in terms of number today, would there be any increase or decrease, the PMS replied that his understanding was that it would keep the numbers roughly the same, around 7,800 troops.

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