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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Delay issue over Afghan mission | Delay issue over Afghan mission |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A British commander in Afghanistan has said UK military operations in the south of the country have been affected by the war in Iraq. | A British commander in Afghanistan has said UK military operations in the south of the country have been affected by the war in Iraq. |
| Brigadier Ed Butler said that the mission underway in Helmand now could have started in 2002. | Brigadier Ed Butler said that the mission underway in Helmand now could have started in 2002. |
| And he also admitted that 3 Para Battle Group had nearly run out of rations during recent fighting. | |
| But he said the delay in starting work in Helmand would not stop victory and the end of the Taleban threat. | But he said the delay in starting work in Helmand would not stop victory and the end of the Taleban threat. |
| Brig Butler, commander of 16 Air Assault (including 3 Para), was briefing journalists in London following the end of his six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. | Brig Butler, commander of 16 Air Assault (including 3 Para), was briefing journalists in London following the end of his six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. |
| His comments came as British troops pulled out of Musa Qala in Helmand, which has been a centre of Taleban insurgency in recent months. | His comments came as British troops pulled out of Musa Qala in Helmand, which has been a centre of Taleban insurgency in recent months. |
| I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time Brig Ed Butler UK troops pull out of town | I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time Brig Ed Butler UK troops pull out of town |
| Troops have withdrawn to an area outside the town to allow what locals have called a "ceasefire". However, the military has not used this term. | Troops have withdrawn to an area outside the town to allow what locals have called a "ceasefire". However, the military has not used this term. |
| He said the Taleban had been "tactically defeated" in northern Helmand and he was "staggered and humbled" by his soldiers' courage. | He said the Taleban had been "tactically defeated" in northern Helmand and he was "staggered and humbled" by his soldiers' courage. |
| However, he said on occasions his men, while never actually starving, had found themselves down to "belt rations". | However, he said on occasions his men, while never actually starving, had found themselves down to "belt rations". |
| Brig Jerry Thomas took over command from Brig Butler on Sunday as the 3 Para Battle Group was replaced by the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade. | Brig Jerry Thomas took over command from Brig Butler on Sunday as the 3 Para Battle Group was replaced by the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade. |
| Brig Butler acknowledged there had been an effect on operations because of not deploying earlier. | Brig Butler acknowledged there had been an effect on operations because of not deploying earlier. |
| Taleban fear | Taleban fear |
| "We could have carried on in 2002 in the same way we have gone about business now," he said. | "We could have carried on in 2002 in the same way we have gone about business now," he said. |
| "Have the interim four years made a difference? I think realistically they have. | "Have the interim four years made a difference? I think realistically they have. |
| "It doesn't mean that we will not achieve what we set out to do. We have not slipped back. | "It doesn't mean that we will not achieve what we set out to do. We have not slipped back. |
| "I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time." | "I think we may have marked time and I think we are starting to make up for that time." |
| And he warned there was always a chance that the Taleban could regroup in the spring and that it was vital that Nato pressed on with reconstruction projects to win local support | And he warned there was always a chance that the Taleban could regroup in the spring and that it was vital that Nato pressed on with reconstruction projects to win local support |
| A considerable number of casualties had been suffered by the battle group, Brig Butler said, but they had been fewer than expected. | A considerable number of casualties had been suffered by the battle group, Brig Butler said, but they had been fewer than expected. |
| The commander said the pull-out from Musa Qala was a positive sign of Afghans delivering their own security. | The commander said the pull-out from Musa Qala was a positive sign of Afghans delivering their own security. |