Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth answered questions on the UK’s strategic aim for Afghanistan and how to build the future capability of the Afghan National Security Forces during a live webchat to mark the start of the London Conference on Afghanistan.
Read more about the London Conference on Afghanistan
Read the transcript:
Moderator says: Bob Ainsworth has just joined us at Number 10. He will start answering your questions shortly.
Jason Clark: The conflict in Afghanistan is this an illegal conflict or had it been agreed to send the British forces there?
Bob replies: We went into Afghanistan under a UN Mandate and we continue to be there at the invitation of the Afghan government. Our presence is therefore legal under international law as is the presence of the 42 other nations.
Roger: How much are you paying the Taliban Warlords to stop attacking our troops ?
Bob replies: We won’t win this by military means alone, but we are not buying off Taliban warlords. There is an Afghan led programme reaching out to low level Taliban fighters offering them an alternative and a route back into normal life. We need to offer them alternative,jobs, and a way of life. There are others who are irreconcilable. They won’t engage with the democratic process.
Will Dixon: As a soldier recently wounded and returned home from Afghanistan I am constantly frustrated by the mixed messages coming out of your government about why we are in Afghanistan. Surely the message to preach is that quite simply if Afghanistan folds then Pakistan follows and we will have a nuclear power run by militant extremists, not to mention the fact that it also borders Iran, China and the unstable ex Soviet states. Instead we have unqualified ministers blabbering on about women’s rights and kite flying. The public need to be given a better understanding of the bigger picture in that region, why is that still not happening?
Bob replies: Will you are absolutely right. The Taliban is a threat to our security here in the United Kingdom. It is destabilising to a very important region and if we were to fail, Afghanistan would return to being a safe haven for terrorists. We would also undermine the credibility of the NATO alliance which has been the cornerstone of our security for the last 60 years. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.
Alastair: -Bob- How are we really doing in Afghanistan? the attacks in Kabul the other week did not look good but what is really happening? do we have control of the situation?
Bob replies: Alastair, we are making progress. General McChrystal now has the troops that he has asked for giving us the opportunity to confront the insurgency and provide security to more Afghans that we have been able to in the past. The focus now has to be to train up the Afghan army and police force so that they are able to do this for their own people. This effort has broad international support and this will be demonstrated at tomorrow’s conference. The Afghans responded very well to the recent attacks in Kabul and we commend them for it.
gina fry: when will our brave armed forces get a pay rise which they deserve
Bob replies: There is an independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body. The Government have accepted their recommendations in full and armed forces and military pay has been consistently amongst the highest in the public sector in recent years. We have also introduced a tax free bonus for those serving on operations. We did this rather than introduce tax free pay because it means more money in the pocket of the lower ranks.
Dave: Have our troops in Afghanistan got enough equipment of the right type to do their job? The increasing number of deaths suggests not.
Bob replies: The Chief of Defence of Staff has recently said that the armed forces are better equipped than at any time during his service. We have spent over £10 billion on equipment since 2006 – one billion of which has been on vehicles and there are now twice as many helicopters than in 2006. We are in the process of buying more.
EUNICE WALKER: Why is it that charities ie “HELP FOR HEROES and AFGHAN HEROES” have had to be set up by the a few people, with enormous help from the public, for the soul purpose of giving our injured troops the support, medical and in rehab, they so desperately lacked under the government?
Bob replies: There are some fantastic charities in our country that have supported the forces and veterans over many years and the last thing anyone wants to do is discourage that. The Royal British Legion, SSAFA, BLESMA, and now we have newer charities like Help for Heroes, who do a wonderful job. Its not only the money they collect it’s the way they capture the British public’s generosity and support. The Government itself continues to provide state of the art medical care at places like Headley Court and Selly Oak. We also provide upfront compensation and a lifetime tax free pension for anyone who is seriously injured. There are a lot of other entitlements for armed forces personnel, their families and veterans contained in the Service Personnel Command paper.
naim: I am a British Afghan , my question is: Fighting village by village in afghanistan in long term is better or lounching coclusive attack on the bases of terrorists in Pakistan? In my opinion attacking on their bases and their funding and guiding origin is much fruitful and saving lives! Are the Pakistanis militry doing enough in fighting terrorist inside Pakistan??
Bob replies: Hi Naim. Pakistani military are confronting the terrorists on their side of the border. I commend them for doing so. They have suffered many losses, but they do have the ability to protect their own country. The Afghan Government is not in that position yet and that is why our troops are there.
Laucrimus: Do you agree that the general public have mis-understood why we are in Afghanistan? And, if so, what lessons can be learnt in terms of public information for the future?
Bob replies: It is sometimes difficult to convince people that Afghanistan is a direct threat to our security back here in the UK, but I firmly believe that it is. If Afghanistan lapsed back into Taliban control as it was in the past it is highly likely that Al Qaeda could once again find safe haven and the ability to attack us and destabilise the region. We are always trying to get our message out to the public. That is why I am here talking to you today and why I will be taking an active part in tomorrow’s conference.
Tilly: Isn’t the real reason we’re in Afghanistan it’s strategic importance ie securing oil piplelines from Russia? Aren’t you using democracy and terrorism as excuses?
Bob replies: Tilly, this is not about oil. Afghanistan is a mountainous country in the middle of the Asian land mass. The people are poor. They have been ravaged by war for 30 years and that is why they fell prey to the Taliban. There is no economic benefit to us. It’s about our security.
Jordan Finneran: Is there real co-operation between nations in this matter? Or is it the US leading the way and the rest of NATO follows?
Bob replies: Jordan, there absolutely is real cooperation. In Kabul, General McChrystal’s deputy is a British General, General Parker. A British General, General Carter, commands the south and this includes US forces and many other nations. This truly is a joint effort across the 43 nation coalition.
Gemerson: Do you agree in send troops from UK, to stop a War that wasn’t the UK the responsible to start it, is that right?
Bob replies: Gemerson, a lot of people forget that the attacks on the twin towers launched from Afghanistan by Al Qaeda, protected by the Taliban Government, happened before any British troops went to Afghanistan. Many British citizens were killed in those attacks.
Doug Canham: Bob, as the Afghanistan ops starts to wind down and they take responsibility for their own security, will we see another ‘Peace Dividend’ removal of funding from the Armed Services – or will we see more of our army actually protecting OUR borders from those we would rather not grant admittance to ?
Bob replies: Doug, Afghanistan has to be our main priority with nine and a half thousand of our troops on a dangerous operation. But you are absolutely right we have to plan for the future too. We are about to publish a Green Paper in which we will spell out the fundamental questions that will inform the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review because future threats may be very different to those of today.
Sarah C: The history of Afghanistan as a wartorn nation goes back hundreds of years. What real hope is there of us helping to create a lasting and meaningful peace there?
Bob replies: Sarah, in the past people have tried to conquer Afghanistan and subjugate the people, that is why they’ve failed. Our forces are there in order to bring about stability and help the Afghans to stand on their own feet. When they can do this we wil leave. Tomorrow’s conference, cohosted by the Prime MInister, President Karzai and the UN Secretary General is taking place to enable President Karzai to present his plans for the future of his country. Thanks everybody, I’m sorry I can’t stay any longer.