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UK to employ lessons learned in Iraq in Helmand
The controversial troop deployment to Helmand will draw directly on the "lessons from Iraq" when there was inadequate coalition planning for reconstruction, according to the officer commanding British forces in the region.In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Col Gordon Messenger, who led 40 Commando of the Royal Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, said that the failures of three years ago would not be repeated. He made clear that the British approach, which will entail up to 50 civilians including diplomats and aid specialists working with the troops in Helmand, will differ from American strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the Pentagon drives reconstruction policy. "We have been very much part of a cross-governmental team here from the outset," said Col Messenger, who commands the 260-strong element preparing for the full force of 3,300 force due to be fully in place in Helmand by July. "There will be representatives from the Foreign Office and Department for International Development alongside us. A new Post-Conflict Reconstruction Unit has been set up in the wake of lessons from Iraq." The colonel acknowledged the high threat of suicide bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices and the likelihood of casualties. A "myriad of ne'er do wells" in Helmand, including Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives, he said, would "have a go and test us out early" once patrolling begins in earnest in May. Posted by: Dan Darling 2006-02-19 |
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