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| Afghanistan/South Asia | ||
| British minister in Kabul for NATO expansion talks | ||
| 2005-10-01 | ||
| KABUL - British Defence Secretary John Reid began a four-day visit to Afghanistan on Friday during which he is expected to discuss plans for an expansion of a NATO-led force into the restive south of the country. During his visit, Reid will hold talks with Afghan Defence Minister Rahim Wardak, President Hamid Karzai and commanders of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force peacekeepers and separate US-led force hunting Taleban and allied militants. Britain is due to take command of ISAF next May, when an Allied Rapid Reaction Corps is to be deployed, and will be at forefront of a planned expansion of NATO forces into the south, where Taleban and allied militants are most active. British forces are expected to establish a base in the province of Helmand, joining Canadian, US and eventually Dutch troops, as well as smaller numbers from other NATO nations. However, the exact role of the troops remains uncertain because NATO members France, Spain and Germany have resisted a US call for ISAF troops to take a combat role against the insurgents, while Britain has supported Washington’s stance.
Britain has more than 800 military personnel in Afghanistan, serving with both the 12,400-strong ISAF and the 20,000-strong US-led force. British forces include British-led Nepali Gurkha troops in Kabul and Royal Air Force Harrier warplanes in the southern city on Kandahar, as well as troops serving with a Provincial Reconstruction Team in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Reid met Gurkha troops in Kabul and praised their efforts in helping to maintain security.
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| Posted by:Steve White |