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Afghan war 'is not slipping away' | Afghan war 'is not slipping away' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has defended American military plans in Afghanistan, but warned that there is now "limited time" to show success. | US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has defended American military plans in Afghanistan, but warned that there is now "limited time" to show success. |
Only now does the US have sufficient resources on the ground to start implementing President Barack Obama's new Afghan strategy, Mr Gates said. | Only now does the US have sufficient resources on the ground to start implementing President Barack Obama's new Afghan strategy, Mr Gates said. |
His comments come days after the top US general in Afghanistan called for a fresh approach to the conflict. | His comments come days after the top US general in Afghanistan called for a fresh approach to the conflict. |
Gen Stanley McChrystal said success was possible, but strategy must change. | Gen Stanley McChrystal said success was possible, but strategy must change. |
Days after receiving Gen McChrystal's detailed report into the Afghan conflict, Mr Gates spoke in defence of Mr Obama's approach to Afghanistan at a Pentagon news conference with Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. | Days after receiving Gen McChrystal's detailed report into the Afghan conflict, Mr Gates spoke in defence of Mr Obama's approach to Afghanistan at a Pentagon news conference with Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. |
Later on Friday British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is due to restate his commitment to Afghanistan in a major speech. | Later on Friday British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is due to restate his commitment to Afghanistan in a major speech. |
Sober assessment | Sober assessment |
Speaking at the Pentagon, Mr Gates said firmly: "I don't believe that the war is slipping through the administration's fingers." | Speaking at the Pentagon, Mr Gates said firmly: "I don't believe that the war is slipping through the administration's fingers." |
"I absolutely do not think it is time to get out of Afghanistan," he said, but cautioned that there remains "limited time for us to show that... this approach is working". | "I absolutely do not think it is time to get out of Afghanistan," he said, but cautioned that there remains "limited time for us to show that... this approach is working". |
It was another sober assessment of America's mission in Afghanistan, says the BBC's Washington correspondent, Paul Adams. | It was another sober assessment of America's mission in Afghanistan, says the BBC's Washington correspondent, Paul Adams. |
Mr Gates had reservations about sending more US troops | Mr Gates had reservations about sending more US troops |
Alongside his civilian boss, Adm Mullen repeated the charge that for years the mission in Afghanistan was poorly funded and staffed. | Alongside his civilian boss, Adm Mullen repeated the charge that for years the mission in Afghanistan was poorly funded and staffed. |
"Part of why it has gotten more serious and has deteriorated has been directly tied to that," he said. | "Part of why it has gotten more serious and has deteriorated has been directly tied to that," he said. |
But the situation could be turned around in the next 12 to 18 months, he said. | But the situation could be turned around in the next 12 to 18 months, he said. |
Our correspondent says Mr Obama's administration knows that it faces an uphill struggle on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Washington. | Our correspondent says Mr Obama's administration knows that it faces an uphill struggle on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Washington. |
Congressmen are growing restive about the duration and cost of this campaign, and polls show that support for the war among Americans is on the wane. | Congressmen are growing restive about the duration and cost of this campaign, and polls show that support for the war among Americans is on the wane. |
Speaking of the possibility of increasing the number of US troops even further, Mr Gates said he would only consider that option if Afghans felt reassured by a larger military presence. | Speaking of the possibility of increasing the number of US troops even further, Mr Gates said he would only consider that option if Afghans felt reassured by a larger military presence. |
When the security of our country is at stake we cannot walk away UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown | When the security of our country is at stake we cannot walk away UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown |
"If they interact with the Afghans in a way that gives confidence to the Afghans that we're their partners and their allies, then the risks that I have been concerned about the footprint becoming too big and the Afghans seeing us in some role other than partners I think is mitigated." | "If they interact with the Afghans in a way that gives confidence to the Afghans that we're their partners and their allies, then the risks that I have been concerned about the footprint becoming too big and the Afghans seeing us in some role other than partners I think is mitigated." |
He reiterated that the danger posed by al-Qaeda and the Taliban was the main reason for the continuing US presence in Afghanistan. | He reiterated that the danger posed by al-Qaeda and the Taliban was the main reason for the continuing US presence in Afghanistan. |
That message chimes with that due to be delivered in the UK on Friday. | That message chimes with that due to be delivered in the UK on Friday. |
In a speech on the war, which has claimed 212 British military lives since 2001, Prime Minister Mr Brown will say: "When the security of our country is at stake we cannot walk away." | |
He will also say that financial and logistical support is being increased for the British effort. | He will also say that financial and logistical support is being increased for the British effort. |
In a strategic assessment sent to US leaders in August but yet to be published officially, Gen Stanley McChrystal, who was appointed as US commander in Afghanistan earlier this year, called for a new approach. | In a strategic assessment sent to US leaders in August but yet to be published officially, Gen Stanley McChrystal, who was appointed as US commander in Afghanistan earlier this year, called for a new approach. |
"The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," Gen McChrystal wrote. | "The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," Gen McChrystal wrote. |