Summary
'UK
Operations in Afghanistan’ (HC 408) examines the effectiveness of UK
operations in Afghanistan.
At present UK forces are deployed in the
Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan as part of the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, which comprises in total a 37-nation
coalition. There are now approximately 7,700 UK troops stationed in the region.
The aim of ISAF and the international community is to establish stability in
the country and so deny the Taliban and Al-Qaeda the environment to operate.
The Committee sets out a number of recommendations,
including:
- The appointment of a high-profile UN representative to be
responsible for coordinating the international effort.
- The aim of ISAF
is not just to kill insurgents, but minimise civilian casualties.
- NATO
has not provided enough troops, and this is undermining NATO's credibility and
ISAF operations.
- Reform of the Afghan National Army has progressed
very well, but the same cannot be said for the Afghan National Police, and
international efforts should focus on training and addressing corruption in the
Afghan judicial system.
- There needs to be an increase in the
deployment of helicopters in the region to support the UK operation.
- There is still progress to be made in delivering the reconstruction and
development in the Helmand region.
- The counter-narcotics policy has
not been communicated effectively among Afghans, and the ending of opium
production in Helmand will require long-term commitment by the international
community.
- The Government is not communicating key messages to the
British or Afghan public about the purpose of its operations in Afghanistan.
- Dialogue between the neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Iran with
Afghanistan should be encouraged.
This Report follows on from an
earlier Report by the Defence Committee into the costs of operations in both
Iraq and Afghanistan
'Costs
of Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan: Winter Supplementary Estimate 2006-07’
(HC 129) and the subsequent Government reply
'Costs
of Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan: Winter Supplementary Estimate 2006-07:
Government Response’ (HC 317).
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