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Pour in more troops or pull out of Afghan war, says Clegg
09.07.09
Britain should either pour thousands more troops into Afghanistan or pull out, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg warned today.
He backed the UK's military campaign against the Taliban but argued British troops are being put in the “worst of all worlds” by lack of equipment, including helicopters, and of a proper political strategy for the war.
“You can't fight a war by muddle,” he told BBC radio. “You have either got to do it properly or not do it at all.”
After seven deaths in as many days brought the British military death toll in Afghanistan to 176 since 2001, Mr Clegg added: “We have got to show that their deaths and their sacrifices have not been made in vain.”
Mr Clegg's aides stressed that he is not at present calling for British troops to be withdrawn but wants a radical overhaul of the Government's plans for defeating the Taliban.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth warned yesterday that more British soldiers would die as US, UK and Afghan forces step up the battle against the Taliban.
But Mr Clegg accused the Government of “throwing away” the lives of British servicemen and women by its failures during the military campaign.
British commanders insist that morale among troops in Afghanistan remains high.
Military chiefs have reportedly called for 2,000 more troops to be deployed to Afghanistan.
But Gordon Brown has limited the increase to about 700 being sent in temporarily.
Reader views (4)
No war is "winnable" Ezza, ask any soldier.
The trick is to make sure the other side don't start thinking that they have won it, else they might set out to impose THEIR views on the "loser".
- Rogan, Irving
This is nothing but Nick Clegg advocating that the UK subjects its self to more European control. There is already unified defence system it is called NATO.
This is nothing more than a member of the Political Class system saying my Class needs more control over how people act and think - which is exactly what the European State is about.
Nick Clegg with his European ideals has participated in the disenfranchising of the UK People from its parliament, now wishes to carry this movement further. It is a case of pick up a theme that is seriously relevant, and then turn it into another agenda.
Nick Clegg believes that democracy is how his mates impose it on Ireland, you will keep voting until I get the answer my Class needs.
- Ian, Reading, England
This an Un-winnable WAR, Bring our Brave BRITISH TROOPS home NOW, ..... Full Stop.
- Ezza, lancashire, ENGLAND
The sad part about it is I'm sure there's plenty of individuals living in this country that smirk every time a British life is lost.
You know who you are.
- Steve, London
