Friday, July 17, 2009

Labour Government put troops lives at risk


Dear All

The Afghanistan War has been lost and UK service personnel have been placed in danger for no gain.

It is therefore not surprising that Gordon Brown and the Labour Party treat the forgotten war as a news soundbyte while UK Troops are dying.

Here is an example of the contempt; demands for more equipment to protect UK forces in Afghanistan from roadside bombs ‘will be considered’, the government has promised.

That is a promise of action rather smoke and mirrors.

The UK Troops are so badly equipped that Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, says he is compiling a "shopping list".

This is a disgrace; men and materials should be available and not have to be begged for.

Recently the scandal of helicopters being in short supply has hit the headlines but there is no action from Gordon Brown, lives are being put in danger so Brown can save cash and fight war on the cheap.

Meanwhile, the 185th British death of the conflict has been confirmed.

A soldier from the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles died in an explosion while on foot patrol near Gereshk in central Helmand, he was the 16th to die this month, as the British army continues an offensive aimed at increasing security ahead of Afghan elections planned for next month.

All this operation is doing is moving the problem from area to area as there can be no decisive battle in this guerrilla war.

In order to give the appearance of doing something for the benefit of the media Gordon Brown spent 40 minutes with Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, on Friday morning.

That is to get the message out, ‘Labour Cares’!

Adding to the spin; Business secretary Lord Mandelson said the general's views on troops' equipment requirements would be taken "very seriously". "They will not go without whatever they need to carry out their very important operations in Afghanistan," he said.

Notice the use of the word “very”, to reinforce the notion they are pro active.

This war which has no end and does nothing to make Britain safe, it was lost a long time ago.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

No comments: