Clarity is needed in Afghanistan

Written by David Heath MP and published in Somerset Standard on Fri 13th Nov 2009

As usual, I attended Remembrance Day parades and services in Bruton, Wincanton and Frome this year. It was noticeable to me that, despite the death of the last survivors of the First World War and the passing on of many who fought in the Second, participation has grown rather than dwindled, with many young people perhaps recognising the sacrifice made by their own generation in Iraq or Afghanistan.

It would be inappropriate to try to link the commemoration of this week with current policies, but many up and down the country must worry about what exactly is happening in Afghanistan. That is why I called for a debate last week in Parliament, given that the House of Commons has never endorsed our military involvement.

To withdraw is a very difficult option, leading to the Taliban re-establishing control and, potentially, the collapse of Pakistan and the frightening prospect of a fundamentalist failed state in control of nuclear armaments. However, the alternative is also difficult: increasing the force levels deployed, getting proper support from our NATO allies, moving to a policy of search and destroy, but all in support of a government with no legitimacy in Afghanistan, based on massive electoral fraud and corruption.

What is unsustainable is our present position. We owe it to the brave young men and women we send to fight and, potentially, die to have a clear mission objective, proper support for their endeavours, and a clear programme for eventual withdrawal. At the moment we do not.

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