By Matthew Champion.
Gordon Brown has insisted that Britain and its international allies in Afghanistan have learned from the mistakes of history.
In a major speech in central London the prime minister said the joint strategy in Afghanistan was 'radically' different than anything adopted by any foreign troops based in the country.
After fresh questions about the UK role in Afghanistan and the level of support afforded its troops, Mr Brown said the government and the armed forces had the 'strength and resolve to complete this vital and important task'.
He also urged Britain's Nato allies to take their proper share of the burden of the war in Afghanistan, calling on alliance members to 'ask themselves if they are doing enough' to combat the Taliban insurgency.
'Terrorism recognises no borders,' he said. 'All members of our coalition must play our proper part.'
Mr Brown was forced on the defensive once again over the UK involvement in the war in Afghanistan when an aide to the defence secretary resigned in protest at the government's strategy.
Today's speech was scheduled before the shock resignation of Eric Joyce last night, but it gave fresh impetus to questions over Britain's role.
In the last four months 50 UK service personnel have died in Afghanistan, taking the overall death-toll to 212.
'Our aim in 2009 is the same as in 2001; we're in Afghanistan as a result of a hard-headed assessment of the terrorist threat facing Britain,' the prime minister explained.
Mr Brown said that the international strategy that Britain was a part of was 'radically different' from any plans adopted by other foreign troops in Afghanistan throughout history.
He said powers had previously ignored the importance of gaining the support of local populations; staying in cities and not venturing into the countryside.
'They did not seek to empower Afghans themselves,' Mr Brown continued, breaking down the UK strategy into four key points that amounted to the 'Afghanisation' of the country.
The prime minister insisted that what was going on in Afghanistan remained an 'international mission'.
'We have all seen the reality of the threat, in Madrid, Mumbai and on the streets of London.
'Our efforts home and abroad, by our allies, our armed forces, police and security agencies in Britain have prevented and continued to prevent further terrorist attacks,' he said.
'Eight years ago the UK and US with their allies helped to remove from Afghanistan a regime that enabled al-Qaida to plot terror around the world,' the prime minister went on to say, repeating the warning of a 'new crucible of terrorism' being born in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Three-quarters of terrorist threats to Britain originated in this region, Mr Brown said, insisting that a safer Afghanistan still meant a safer Britain.
But preventing terrorism depended on strengthening authorities in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, he added.
The ultimate aim is to enable Afghans to take over from international forces without sacrificing the overarching aim of denying Afghanistan as a base for terrorists.
On the issue of a perceived lack of support for UK armed forces, Mr Brown pledged 'new equipment, tactics, surveillance and options' for British troops.
'Fifty British service personnel have died in the last four months,' he said.
'These are not just statistics, these are dedicated, professional and brave servicemen whose families' lives will never be the same again; they are heroes deserving of the same unending gratitude given to the soldiers of the first and second world wars.
'Nothing is more heartbreaking than meeting people who have lost loved ones,' he added.
'It's at times like these we must strengthen not weaken our resolve. We must stand up to those who threaten our way of life; take heart from our progress; take action to deal with the new tactics of the Taliban.
'I know we are asking a great deal of our armed forces, but I ask the people and communities of our country to accept the credible and deliverable objectives of our work; and to see we have the strength and resolve to complete this vital and important task.'
Gordon Brown has insisted that Britain and its international allies in Afghanistan have learned from the mistakes of history.
In a major speech in central London the prime minister said the joint strategy in Afghanistan was 'radically' different than anything adopted by any foreign troops based in the country.
After fresh questions about the UK role in Afghanistan and the level of support afforded its troops, Mr Brown said the government and the armed forces had the 'strength and resolve to complete this vital and important task'.
He also urged Britain's Nato allies to take their proper share of the burden of the war in Afghanistan, calling on alliance members to 'ask themselves if they are doing enough' to combat the Taliban insurgency.
'Terrorism recognises no borders,' he said. 'All members of our coalition must play our proper part.'
Mr Brown was forced on the defensive once again over the UK involvement in the war in Afghanistan when an aide to the defence secretary resigned in protest at the government's strategy.
Today's speech was scheduled before the shock resignation of Eric Joyce last night, but it gave fresh impetus to questions over Britain's role.
In the last four months 50 UK service personnel have died in Afghanistan, taking the overall death-toll to 212.
'Our aim in 2009 is the same as in 2001; we're in Afghanistan as a result of a hard-headed assessment of the terrorist threat facing Britain,' the prime minister explained.
Mr Brown said that the international strategy that Britain was a part of was 'radically different' from any plans adopted by other foreign troops in Afghanistan throughout history.
He said powers had previously ignored the importance of gaining the support of local populations; staying in cities and not venturing into the countryside.
'They did not seek to empower Afghans themselves,' Mr Brown continued, breaking down the UK strategy into four key points that amounted to the 'Afghanisation' of the country.
- Partnering a growing Afghan national army presence in Helmand
- Strengthening civilian military partnerships in areas such as policing
- Supporting the governor of Helmand with targeted aid
- Building on the 'real progress' of the 'wheat not heroin' initiative
The prime minister insisted that what was going on in Afghanistan remained an 'international mission'.
'We have all seen the reality of the threat, in Madrid, Mumbai and on the streets of London.
'Our efforts home and abroad, by our allies, our armed forces, police and security agencies in Britain have prevented and continued to prevent further terrorist attacks,' he said.
'Eight years ago the UK and US with their allies helped to remove from Afghanistan a regime that enabled al-Qaida to plot terror around the world,' the prime minister went on to say, repeating the warning of a 'new crucible of terrorism' being born in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Three-quarters of terrorist threats to Britain originated in this region, Mr Brown said, insisting that a safer Afghanistan still meant a safer Britain.
But preventing terrorism depended on strengthening authorities in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, he added.
The ultimate aim is to enable Afghans to take over from international forces without sacrificing the overarching aim of denying Afghanistan as a base for terrorists.
On the issue of a perceived lack of support for UK armed forces, Mr Brown pledged 'new equipment, tactics, surveillance and options' for British troops.
'Fifty British service personnel have died in the last four months,' he said.
'These are not just statistics, these are dedicated, professional and brave servicemen whose families' lives will never be the same again; they are heroes deserving of the same unending gratitude given to the soldiers of the first and second world wars.
'Nothing is more heartbreaking than meeting people who have lost loved ones,' he added.
'It's at times like these we must strengthen not weaken our resolve. We must stand up to those who threaten our way of life; take heart from our progress; take action to deal with the new tactics of the Taliban.
'I know we are asking a great deal of our armed forces, but I ask the people and communities of our country to accept the credible and deliverable objectives of our work; and to see we have the strength and resolve to complete this vital and important task.'
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