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British PM raises odds of early troop pullout
DAVID Cameron has raised the prospect of a British withdrawal from Afghanistan earlier than 2015, talking of the possibility of a "more rapid solution" to the long-term conflict.
The British Prime Minister insisted yesterday his nation's strategy was straightforward and had not changed because of the death of Osama bin Laden.
But he told parliament he had spoken to Afghan President Hamid Karzai and both leaders agreed that bin Laden's removal provided a "new opportunity for Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together to achieve stability on both sides of the border".
Mr Cameron said he wanted to send a clear message to the Taliban: "Now is the time for them to separate themselves from al-Qa'ida and participate in a peaceful political process."
Earlier, he said that persuading the insurgents to adopt such an approach could produce a more rapid solution.
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His comments follow hints that US domestic pressure for the faster withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan would increase. The key rationale underpinning US President Barack Obama's strategy is that the massive US troop presence is required to stop the Taliban from retaking power in Afghanistan, which could allow al-Qa'ida to use the country again as a sanctuary from which to attack the US. But bin Laden's death dealt a huge blow to al-Qa'ida that will fuel domestic opposition to the war.
"With the death of bin Laden some people will ask why we don't pack up and leave," said John Kerry, the chairman of the Senate foreign affairs committee. "We can't do that (but) we have to ask at every turn if our strategy in Afghanistan is sustainable."
Senator Kerry, who has cultivated a close working relationship with Mr Karzai, said he would travel to Kabul this month to assess how bin Laden's death had affected the chances of a "grand bargain" with the Taliban.
"Some Taliban appear willing to negotiate, so the United States must send a strong and consistent message that we support a political solution," he said at a hearing on ending the Afghan war.
The White House said yesterday that bin Laden's killing was consistent with its strategy, under which US troops would begin withdrawing in July and Afghan forces, who are being trained in greater numbers, would gradually assume greater security responsibilities before taking over the country by 2014. "The President's plan is on track," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
"And the focus of that operation, of the . . . US personnel in Afghanistan, is on al-Qaida."
On Tuesday Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said bin Laden's death would not prompt an early exit of Australian troops. His comments that Australia "would stay the course in Afghanistan until our mission is complete" were echoed by Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Julia Gillard.
The Times
- From: The Times
- May 05, 2011 12:00AM
DAVID Cameron has raised the prospect of a British withdrawal from Afghanistan earlier than 2015, talking of the possibility of a "more rapid solution" to the long-term conflict.
The British Prime Minister insisted yesterday his nation's strategy was straightforward and had not changed because of the death of Osama bin Laden.
But he told parliament he had spoken to Afghan President Hamid Karzai and both leaders agreed that bin Laden's removal provided a "new opportunity for Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together to achieve stability on both sides of the border".
Mr Cameron said he wanted to send a clear message to the Taliban: "Now is the time for them to separate themselves from al-Qa'ida and participate in a peaceful political process."
Earlier, he said that persuading the insurgents to adopt such an approach could produce a more rapid solution.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related Coverage
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
His comments follow hints that US domestic pressure for the faster withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan would increase. The key rationale underpinning US President Barack Obama's strategy is that the massive US troop presence is required to stop the Taliban from retaking power in Afghanistan, which could allow al-Qa'ida to use the country again as a sanctuary from which to attack the US. But bin Laden's death dealt a huge blow to al-Qa'ida that will fuel domestic opposition to the war.
"With the death of bin Laden some people will ask why we don't pack up and leave," said John Kerry, the chairman of the Senate foreign affairs committee. "We can't do that (but) we have to ask at every turn if our strategy in Afghanistan is sustainable."
Senator Kerry, who has cultivated a close working relationship with Mr Karzai, said he would travel to Kabul this month to assess how bin Laden's death had affected the chances of a "grand bargain" with the Taliban.
"Some Taliban appear willing to negotiate, so the United States must send a strong and consistent message that we support a political solution," he said at a hearing on ending the Afghan war.
The White House said yesterday that bin Laden's killing was consistent with its strategy, under which US troops would begin withdrawing in July and Afghan forces, who are being trained in greater numbers, would gradually assume greater security responsibilities before taking over the country by 2014. "The President's plan is on track," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
"And the focus of that operation, of the . . . US personnel in Afghanistan, is on al-Qaida."
On Tuesday Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said bin Laden's death would not prompt an early exit of Australian troops. His comments that Australia "would stay the course in Afghanistan until our mission is complete" were echoed by Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Julia Gillard.
The Times