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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Afghan victory hopes played down | Afghan victory hopes played down |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The UK's commander in Helmand has said Britain should not expect a "decisive military victory" in Afghanistan. | The UK's commander in Helmand has said Britain should not expect a "decisive military victory" in Afghanistan. |
| Brig Mark Carleton-Smith told the Sunday Times the aim of the mission was to ensure the Afghan army was able to manage the country on its own. | Brig Mark Carleton-Smith told the Sunday Times the aim of the mission was to ensure the Afghan army was able to manage the country on its own. |
| He said this could involve discussing security with the Taleban. | He said this could involve discussing security with the Taleban. |
| When international troops eventually leave Afghanistan, there may still be a "low but steady" level of rural insurgency, he conceded. | When international troops eventually leave Afghanistan, there may still be a "low but steady" level of rural insurgency, he conceded. |
| He said it was unrealistic to expect that multinational forces would be able to wipe out armed bands of insurgents in the country. | He said it was unrealistic to expect that multinational forces would be able to wipe out armed bands of insurgents in the country. |
| The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says Brig Carleton-Smith's comments echo a view commonly-held, if rarely aired, by British military and diplomatic officials in Afghanistan. | The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says Brig Carleton-Smith's comments echo a view commonly-held, if rarely aired, by British military and diplomatic officials in Afghanistan. |
| Many believe certain legitimate elements of the Taleban represent the positions of the Afghan people and so should be a part of the country's future, says our correspondent. | Many believe certain legitimate elements of the Taleban represent the positions of the Afghan people and so should be a part of the country's future, says our correspondent. |
| 'Taken the sting out' | 'Taken the sting out' |
| Brig Carleton-Smith is the Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade which has just completed its second tour of Afghanistan. | Brig Carleton-Smith is the Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade which has just completed its second tour of Afghanistan. |
| If the Taleban were prepared to... talk about a political settlement, then that's precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies Brig Mark Carleton-Smith 'Managing' the insurgencySend us your comments | If the Taleban were prepared to... talk about a political settlement, then that's precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies Brig Mark Carleton-Smith 'Managing' the insurgencySend us your comments |
| He paid tribute to his forces and told the newspaper they had "taken the sting out of the Taleban for 2008". | He paid tribute to his forces and told the newspaper they had "taken the sting out of the Taleban for 2008". |
| But he stated: "We're not going to win this war. | But he stated: "We're not going to win this war. |
| "It's about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that's not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army." | "It's about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that's not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army." |
| Brig Carleton-Smith said the goal was to change how debates were resolved in the country so that violence was not the first option considered. | Brig Carleton-Smith said the goal was to change how debates were resolved in the country so that violence was not the first option considered. |
| He said: "If the Taleban were prepared to sit on the other side of the table and talk about a political settlement, then that's precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies like this. | He said: "If the Taleban were prepared to sit on the other side of the table and talk about a political settlement, then that's precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies like this. |
| "That shouldn't make people uncomfortable." | "That shouldn't make people uncomfortable." |
| Since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001, 120 UK military personnel have been killed. | Since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001, 120 UK military personnel have been killed. |
What do you think of Brig Carleton-Smith's comments? Are modern wars unwinnable? Please send your comment using the form below: | |