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PM: Troops fighting the Taliban are true heroes
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor21 Aug 2008
Gordon Brown paid tribute today to British troops in Afghanistan, praising them as the country's true heroes.
The Prime Minister flew into Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand province, on his way to the Olympics in Beijing.
He told the troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade: "By what you are doing here you prevent terrorism coming to the streets of Britain.
"You are part of an incredibly important process creating not only a terrorist-free Afghanistan but an Afghanistan where there will be democracy."
Mr Brown paid tribute to Corporal Barry Dempsey of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, who earlier this week became the latest British soldier to be killed in the conflict.
He likened the achievements of the British forces to the UK's Olympic medalists in Beijing, adding: "Our Olympic athletes and everybody else in our country will remember that you have showed exactly the same courage, professionalism and dedication. You are truly the heroes of our country."
Mr Brown then flew on to Kabul for talks with President Hamid Karzai.
