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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cameron praises troops in Helmand | Cameron praises troops in Helmand |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The prime minister has told troops in Afghanistan he wants the British public to "revere and support" them for the "incredible work" they do. | The prime minister has told troops in Afghanistan he wants the British public to "revere and support" them for the "incredible work" they do. |
| David Cameron, who spent the night in Camp Bastion, said they could go home with "heads held high" once Afghans could manage their own security. | David Cameron, who spent the night in Camp Bastion, said they could go home with "heads held high" once Afghans could manage their own security. |
| The troops cheered as he confirmed the operational allowance would double. | The troops cheered as he confirmed the operational allowance would double. |
| And Mr Cameron delivered a message from the England football team, who said the troops were "the real heroes". | And Mr Cameron delivered a message from the England football team, who said the troops were "the real heroes". |
| "It's important you know how much all your effort means to the England players," the message said. | "It's important you know how much all your effort means to the England players," the message said. |
| Earlier, soldiers had sent their own good luck video to the players ahead of the start of the World Cup. | Earlier, soldiers had sent their own good luck video to the players ahead of the start of the World Cup. |
| 'War of necessity' | 'War of necessity' |
| This is Mr Cameron's first visit to Afghanistan since becoming prime minister. | This is Mr Cameron's first visit to Afghanistan since becoming prime minister. |
| Before heading to Camp Bastion on Thursday, he was forced to cancel a visit to a frontline patrol base in Helmand. There had been a warning about a possible attempt by Taliban insurgents to bring down his helicopter. | |
| Earlier in the day, Mr Cameron announced an extra £67m to tackle the threat of roadside bombs and said the conflict was his "number one priority". | Earlier in the day, Mr Cameron announced an extra £67m to tackle the threat of roadside bombs and said the conflict was his "number one priority". |
| He said nobody wanted troops to be in Afghanistan "a moment longer than is necessary" - a sentiment he repeated on Friday morning to the ranks of soldiers gathered in the desert for his speech. | He said nobody wanted troops to be in Afghanistan "a moment longer than is necessary" - a sentiment he repeated on Friday morning to the ranks of soldiers gathered in the desert for his speech. |
| "This is not a war of choice, it is a war of necessity," the prime minister said, as he addressed personnel during a sandstorm. | |
| "The Afghans aren't ready to look after their own security. As soon as they are ready we can leave and go home." | "The Afghans aren't ready to look after their own security. As soon as they are ready we can leave and go home." |
| Mr Cameron said the government "didn't have some dreamy ideas" about trying to build "the perfect democracy" in Afghanistan. | Mr Cameron said the government "didn't have some dreamy ideas" about trying to build "the perfect democracy" in Afghanistan. |
| Instead, the mission there was about protecting Britain's national security "pure and simple". | Instead, the mission there was about protecting Britain's national security "pure and simple". |
| The PM said he wanted to give troops "proper support" by doubling their operational allowance, which currently stands at £2,380 for a six-month tour. | The PM said he wanted to give troops "proper support" by doubling their operational allowance, which currently stands at £2,380 for a six-month tour. |
| The increase will come into force from next month and be backdated to the date of the general election on 6 May. | The increase will come into force from next month and be backdated to the date of the general election on 6 May. |
| He also said he wanted to "rewrite and republish the military covenant" - the pact of support between Britain and its armed forces - and put troops "front and centre of our national life again". | He also said he wanted to "rewrite and republish the military covenant" - the pact of support between Britain and its armed forces - and put troops "front and centre of our national life again". |
| "I want you to help me create a new atmosphere in our country, an atmosphere in which we back and revere and support our military," he added. | "I want you to help me create a new atmosphere in our country, an atmosphere in which we back and revere and support our military," he added. |
| On Thursday, Mr Cameron spoke alongside Afghan President Hamid Karzai at his presidential palace in Kabul. | On Thursday, Mr Cameron spoke alongside Afghan President Hamid Karzai at his presidential palace in Kabul. |
| The PM said 2010 was "the vital year" to make progress in stabilising the country. | The PM said 2010 was "the vital year" to make progress in stabilising the country. |