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Our Afghan troops are true heroes says Brown
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor21 Aug 2008
British troops fighting in Afghanistan were praised as "true heroes" by Gordon Brown today as he compared their daily professionalism to that of our Olympic athletes.
The Prime Minister flew into Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand, on his way to Beijing.
He told the troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade that they were preventing terrorism coming to Britain.
"You know that you are on the front line in the fight against the Taliban. You know that by what you are doing here you prevent terrorism coming to the streets of Britain," he said.
Mr Brown paid tribute to Corporal Barry Dempsey of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, who this week became the latest British soldier to be killed in the conflict.
And he likened the achievements of the British forces to the UK's Olympic medallists in Beijing. "This week we are celebrating the Olympics where we have had great success," he said.
"But this week also I believe that our Olympic athletes and everybody else in our country will remember that you have showed exactly the same courage, professionalism and dedication. You make our country proud every day of the week and every week of the year. You are truly the heroes of our country.
"I wish to say how proud I am of you today."
Before leaving Camp Bastion, Mr Brown visited injured soldiers.
The Prime Minister later flew to Kabul to urge President Karzai of the need for the Afghan government to restore good governance and stamp out corruption. He also announced funding for a new radio station to help counter Taliban propaganda.
Mr Brown yesterday paid tribute to President Nicolas Sarkozy for pressing on in Afghanistan despite the loss of 10 French soldiers in a Taliban ambush. At a news conference with Mr Karzai, Mr Brown insisted coalition forces in Afghanistan were gaining ground despite recent setbacks.
"The troops that I have talked to on the ground and our commanders on the ground believe they are making substantial progress against the Taliban," he said.
Reader views (2)
This proves that Labour is on another planet.
- M Wilkinson, London UK, 21/08/2008 14:22
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Is he planning massive fraud? That is the only way we could win an election. I have never met anybody who likes, let alone trusts, Gordon Brown. He can flash his phoney teeth as much as he wants, but the country has had enough of him and his wretched party.
- Beatriz, London, 21/08/2008 13:23
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