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Britain, US row over troop deployment in Afghanistan: Reports
The deployment of thousands of British troops in Afghanistan is being delayed because of divisions between London and Washington over their precise role, according to newspaper reports in London, quoting defence and diplomatic sources.
The deployment of thousands of British troops in Afghanistan is being delayed because of divisions between London and Washington over their precise role, according to newspaper reports in London, quoting defence and diplomatic sources.
‘The Times’ and ‘The Independent’ said that Washington was more concerned with hunting down prime terror suspect Osama bin Laden and deposing of the Taliban regime than with setting up a force to aid humanitarian activity.
“It's desperately frustrating all round and it's also very awkward,” ‘The Times’ quoted a defence source as saying.
The US is focused on going after bin Laden and is far less inclined to engage in longer-term stabilisation.
A total 6,000 British troops are on 48-hour standby for deployment in Afghanistan following arrival last week of some 100 British marines at Bagram air base north of Kabul. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that any troops deployed would focus on protecting humanitarian supply routes, securing airfields, ensuring the safe return of UN and aid agency staff and bomb disposal. He has added that troops could be used in offensive frontline operations.
It had been suggested that the impasse over further troop deployment was due to deep mistrust shown by the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance towards the presence of British marines. But defence sources, quoted by ‘The Times’, said that it had more to do with Washington than Kabul.
A spokesman for Tony Blair on Monday denied that Britain and the United States were in dispute over the speed at which the campaign in Afghanistan should progress.
He added that there was no delay to troop deployment.
Bureau Report
A total 6,000 British troops are on 48-hour standby for deployment in Afghanistan following arrival last week of some 100 British marines at Bagram air base north of Kabul. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that any troops deployed would focus on protecting humanitarian supply routes, securing airfields, ensuring the safe return of UN and aid agency staff and bomb disposal. He has added that troops could be used in offensive frontline operations.
It had been suggested that the impasse over further troop deployment was due to deep mistrust shown by the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance towards the presence of British marines. But defence sources, quoted by ‘The Times’, said that it had more to do with Washington than Kabul.
A spokesman for Tony Blair on Monday denied that Britain and the United States were in dispute over the speed at which the campaign in Afghanistan should progress.
He added that there was no delay to troop deployment.
Bureau Report