-Caveat Lector-
From
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BLAIR-BUSH RIFT COULD THREATEN LIVES
By Tom Newton Dunn and Oonagh Blackman
BRITISH troops' lives and humanitarian aid could
be threatened following a damaging split between Washington and
London over the military role in Afghanistan.
President Bush does not want coalition forces to get bogged down
in "nation building" and helping starving Afghans. Instead, he
prefers to limit the military campaign to hunting Osama bin Laden
and his al-Qaeda terror network.
But Tony Blair is determined to press ahead with the deployment of
up to 6,000 Paras and Marines as part of a multinational
"stabilisation force", despite Northern Alliance opposition.
Yesterday, thanks in part to Bush's reluctance, the troops were
still stalled on standby. Military experts now believe the vital
window to land them might have passed, leaving the 100-strong
squad of Special Boat Service troops at Bagram airbase cruelly
exposed.
The unit, flown in to make Bagram a bridgehead, do not have the
firepower to defend themselves if militias turn on them.
Major Charles Heyman, editor of Jane's World Armies, said last
night the chance to get troops in for a humanitarian mission had
been missed.
He said: "It would have been preferable to have dovetailed it with
the advance on Kabul.
"But that opportunity has passed and now it has to be done through negotiation and
with a UN mandate.
"It is a setback. In peace-keeping, it helps if a lead nation can get on the ground
quickly."
Downing Street played down the rift, insisting the coalition was still in agreement.
But at the same time it made it clear that Alliance objections should not be allowed
to stand in the way of further troop deployments.
Tony Blair's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister gave a clear signal of our readiness
to commit more forces if required.
"We have to see how things move forward. But I doubt you have seen the last of our
troops in Afghanistan."
He added: "To talk of delay is to misunderstand the situation.''
Mr Blair will deliver the same message in Germany today.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, however, was backing the "wait and see" policy.
In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, he said: "We have troops on standby to
support humanitarian relief. But no decision has been taken on when they will be sent.
"Before making that decision, I need a clear picture of the situation on the ground
and of the likely tasks our forces will be required to fulfil.
"Personnel at Bagram will give us a detailed assessment of the level of threat any
further forces are likely to face."
The Defence Ministry insisted no deployment date was ever set. A spokesman said: "Only
a small number may be deployed. It's like a golf bag - we can draw on the most
appropriate."
Earlier Britain's envoy to Kabul, Stephen Evans, arrived in the capital to establish a
diplomatic mission.
His aim is to persuade the Alliance to agree to an an international military presence.
After meeting Alliance Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah at Bagram, he admitted more
talks would be needed. Mr Evans said: "Decisions have still to be made. There will be
the closest consultation with our colleagues here
in Kabul."
Six hundred troops from 2 Para will fly to holding bases on Afghanistan's borders this
week while diplomats continue to broker a role for them, sources revealed yesterday.
The first troops could fly out of RAF Brize Norton, Oxon, and RAF Lyneham, Wilts,
tomorrow.
If they get the go-ahead, they will then be able to start humanitarian work before
winter.
A senior officer said last night: "We're in a holding pattern until we get the green
light.
"That doesn't mean we can't get as close as possible to where we need to be. All the
lads are keen to go." Three secure sites for the flights into Bagram have been
earmarked in Uzbekistan, Oman and Pakistan.
Fast progress has been made by the SBS who arrived at Bagram on Thursday.
The airstrip landing lights are now working and the runway has been cleared of debris
and mines.
Military officials quashed suggestions that the troops were unwelcome among the
Alliance.
The local Afghan commander is said to have formed a firm friendship with the SBS's
commanding officer, and invited him to meet his family.
Last night the UN was continuing efforts to bring together the leaders of the various
tribes and factions in Afghanistan to form a broad-based interim government.
Any meeting is likely to take place in a third country.
It is also suggested that a UN peacekeeping force made up of
troops from Muslim countries should be sent to Afghanistan.
In Washington, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned
the UN and Afghan rebels not to allow Taliban and al-Qaeda
fighters trapped in Kunduz and Kandahar to flee Afghanistan to
"make their mischief" elsewhere.
The Pentagon said several hundred US special forces were now in
Afghanistan, directing air strikes and hunting bin Laden.
A HEAVY British and US presence in any peacekeeping force in
Afghanistan might not be welcome. Planners think Muslim troops
will be more acceptable to the different factions. Here, JON
CLEMENTS gives a country-by-country assessment
Top
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