Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Brown in Afghanistan vows new push to defeat Taliban
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Brown in Afghanistan vows new push to defeat Taliban
AFP - Monday, December 14
Send
IM Story
Print
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown leaves Kandahar Airbase in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Brown vowed a renewed effort to defeat the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan as he made an unannounced visit to troops in the field Sunday.
Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: War On Terror
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFP) - – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed a renewed effort to defeat the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan as he made an unannounced visit to troops in the field Sunday.
Brown made the visit two weeks after ordering the deployment of 500 extra British troops to Afghanistan alongside a surge of 30,000 US forces, part of a sweeping new strategy to turn around the eight-year war.
He held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at a military base in Kandahar, the southern province where the Taliban first emerged and one of the deadliest battlefields for Western troops since the 2001 US-led invasion.
Brown spent a foggy night on the sprawling base in a simple room with limited heating, sharing a shower bloc and latrine with soldiers, before heading into a breakfast meeting with British commanders.
The prime minister inspected new military hardware, including drones, that London has dispatched to Afghanistan in a bid to counter controversy over alleged supply shortages, and offered the troops his Christmas greetings.
"The combined effort of allied forces with the Afghan government is the way we will defeat the insurgency, the way we will stop Al-Qaeda having any space to operate in Afghanistan," he told a news conference with Karzai.
"I think the next few months are obviously critical," Brown told reporters travelling with him.
The extra deployment, which will boost the number of British forces in Afghanistan to more than 10,000, would arrive "in the next few days", he added.
Britain is hosting a conference on Afghanistan in London on January 28, at which Karzai is expected to be set tough new targets so foreign troops can start to hand over control to Afghan soldiers and police.
Brown said equipment for the British mission, the second-largest behind the US contingent, was "improving every day" and that the number of helicopters had doubled in the last three years.
"These things are being done in a way that is calculated to weaken the Taliban and show they can't win this campaign," he said.
Karzai, who is under Western pressure to clamp down on corruption and has yet to unveil a government since being inaugurated after a re-election steeped in fraud, pledged to do "a lot more" in building an accountable administration.
"We need to have a government that is responsive to the needs of the Afghan people. That's our responsibility and we will be taking a lot more measures," the president said.
The British leader welcomed his remarks.
"Of course, people will judge what happens by results, but I think we have seen a determination on the part of President Karzai to take new action against corruption," Brown said.
He admitted it had been "a difficult year", alluding to British troop losses in Afghanistan, which at 100 in 2009 have made this the deadliest year for the country's armed forces since the 1982 Falkland's War, but said morale was high.
Officials said Brown's visit marked the first time a British prime minister had spent a night in a theatre of war in living memory.
From Kandahar he flew by helicopter to Helmand, low over desert plains to see Afghan soldier recruits being put through their paces by British trainers and being taught to use state-of-the-art bomb detectors.
British troops are based in Helmand, the heartland of opium production in Afghanistan and one of the deadliest battlegrounds in the country.
Karzai had promised to send 10,000 extra Afghan troops to Helmand for training, Brown said.
Brown described the Afghan border areas with Pakistan as "the location of choice for Al-Qaeda" and "the epicentre of global terrorism" reiterating that three quarters of terror plots discovered in Britain had roots in the area.
Separately, the head of US Central Command, General David Petraeus, said that to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan it was also crucial that Pakistan put pressure on Taliban leaders operating in its border zone.
To make "the really significant progress in Afghanistan that will be necessary over time... it would be very helpful if additional pressure could be put (by Pakistan) on the leadership of the elements that are causing problems in Afghanistan," he told a security conference in Bahrain.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Myanmar rebels grow more opium to buy arms - report Reuters - 1 hour 39 minutes ago
AP INVESTIGATION: Monsanto seed biz role revealed AP - 1 hour 52 minutes ago
Kidney donor's night-before-surgery poem AP - 2 hours 44 minutes ago
Nurses are key to matchmaking in kidney swap AP - 2 hours 44 minutes ago
Italy politics: sex, thighs and 'Videocracy' AP - 2 hours 46 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Dubai to pay debt with $10 billion aid from Abu Dhabi
Fed likely to dampen speculation on early exit
Greece waits for its financial medicine
Nanomaterial used in cancer tests, medicine delivery
Decades-old dioxins pollute river, divide US community
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
War On TerrorGlobal fight against terrorism
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Top British banker admits 'mistakes' on bonuses
Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview
'Whack A Banker' game proving a hit in Britain
Dubai stocks maintain profits after break
Fed likely to dampen speculation on early exit
More Most Viewed »
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism
Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 14 December 2009 Israel funnels millions of dollars to settlements
Catalans vote in symbolic independence referendum
Campaign mocks treatment of Iran student leader
Leaders strike deal on Sudan democratic reforms
Berlusconi bloodied by hit to face, says he's fine
|
Supreme leader says Iran's opposition violates law
US jobless rate 'could rise further'
Greek economy minister urges immediate reforms
With Gaza cease-fire, south Israel blossoms
Israel expels Jewish seminary from army deal
|
Houston is first major US city to elect gay mayor
Iran's Khamenei issues stern warning to opposition
Iran's president pledges support to Hamas leader
PLO set to extend Abbas term as Palestinian leader
300 stuck temporarily on Disney World monorail
Turkmenistan-China pipeline to start Monday
`Princess and the Frog' hops to No. 1 with $25M
Nobel-winning economist dead at 94
NKorean weapons seizure could affect nuke talks
S Philippines grapples with crisis after crisis
Politics dominate Calif education reform effort
Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline to open Monday
Authorities: Rottweiler mauls, kills Fla. toddler
Thaksin back in Cambodia as Thai "spy" to be freed
Senator says opposition grows to Medicare buy-in
Taiwan fishermen 'fall victim to climate change'
Houston biggest US city to elect openly gay mayor
Senate to vote on $1.1 trillion spending bill
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Disney's Princess charms weekend moviegoers
|
Disney's "Princess" charms weekend moviegoers
Reggae star Buju Banton facing drug charge in Fla.
`Princess and the Frog' hops to No. 1 with $25M
Gunmen storm Afghan police post, kill 8: governor
Italian protester breaks Berlusconi's nose
|
Italy's Berlusconi in hospital after attack
2009: the Year of Twitter and Facebook
Afghan war decision toughest of presidency: Obama
Fed likely to dampen speculation on early exit
Russia cuts gas to Armenia after bomb found: report
|
Greece waits for its financial medicine
Accenture ends relationship with Tiger Woods
Afghan air strike wreaks more havoc in Germany
Nanomaterial used in cancer tests, medicine delivery
Conservative favored in Chile presidential run-off
|
Mobile phone English lessons a hit in Bangladesh
Timeline of Iranian, North Korean nuclear programs
Decades-old dioxins pollute river, divide US community
Israel votes new funding for settlements
Democracy referendum plan heats up Hong Kong politics
|
Kurds, Turkish nationalists clash in Istanbul
Low turnout in Catalan independence referendum
|
Myanmar rebels grow more opium to buy arms: report
|
Brown in Afghanistan vows new push to defeat Taliban
Iraq: No time to act after US tip before blasts
Kurds, Turkish nationalists clash in Istanbul
|
Saudi opposition petitions for vote after floods
China blocks Sun TV signal in content crackdown
|
Israel okays millions of dollars in aid to settlements
Highlights of UN resolution against NKorea
Thais extend North Korean arms cargo crew's detention
AP INVESTIGATION: Monsanto seed biz role revealed
Google to produce, sell own Nexus One phones: report
|
US mulls Predator strikes in Pakistani cities: report
Kidney donor's night-before-surgery poem
Accenture ends relationship with Tiger Woods
|
Nurses are key to matchmaking in kidney swap
Hardline Pakistani schools a draw for foreigners
Apple fires back at Nokia in patents battle
|
Avalanche fears, clouds hamper search for climbers
Cambodia frees convicted Thai spy
Lieberman resists Medicare buy-in plan
Crew of NKorean weapons plane in Thai court
Venezuela's Chavez sees U.S. 'threat' over Iran ties
Plane crew held for 12 more days over weapons haul
Obamas join stars for Christmas benefit concert
Obama: Expect no more White House gate-crashers
Woman executed in China over child prostitution
China might not take climate change funding: FT
UN: 2 UN hostages freed from Darfur
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
46 injured in pileup of about 50 cars in Conn.
Johnny Depp can't get used to winning awards
Seoul shares turn up on Dubai news; builders rise
Toyota to start selling plug-in hybrids in 2011
Mercedes-Benz sees China sales up 15 pct in 2010
Korea Hot Stocks
Confidence up at Japanese manufacturers
Obama's brother turns down film role
Pakistan
Johnny Depp can't get used to winning awards
Japan's business confidence grows: central bank
Seoul shares turn lower; KOPEC jumps on debut
History miniseries takes on the Kennedys
|
Taiwan dollar near flat in thin trade, eyes stocks
`Precious,' `Up,' `Hangover' make AFI top-10 list
Downey's Sherlock Holmes an action hero
|
S.Korea Nov ind power demand growth at 8-yr high
L.A. critics honor Iraq war movie Hurt Locker
|
Luxury travel business bounces back
NBC launching Chuck game
|
`Hurt Locker' wins LA Critics' best-picture prize
Hundreds of Indian languages struggle to survive
Big US box office kiss for Disney's 'Frog Princess'
US-TECH Summary
EU warms to Oracle-Sun deal
Detained Americans to be tried in Iran: minister
|
Insurgent foe's slaying shows cracks near Baghdad
Koalas, penguins at risk of extinction: study
Hi-tech, eco-friendly dream home takes shape in Japan
U.S. forces chief warns of Afghanistan fight
|
Gunmen kill 16 police in Afghan ambushes
Jackson, Boyle and Tiger transfix in 2009
Cadbury says rejects 'inadequate' Kraft takeover bid
Bin Laden: symbolic icon in impenetrable fortress
Dubai to pay debt with $10 billion Abu Dhabi fund
Turk PM calls for unity after Kurdish party ban
|
Pakistan seeks clues on jailed Americans
|
Iran says makes arrests over torn Khomeini picture
|
Will Ecuador drought dry up Correa's popularity?
|
Motorized bar stool from DUI case fetches $1,125
DNA map shows pandas may lack meat taste buds
Katrina recovery was test of ability to adapt
Beijing cuts broadcaster's signal amid media crackdown
EU warms to Oracle-Sun deal
|
Iran to put three US hikers on trial
Accenture ends relationship with Tiger Woods
|
Democracy "referendum" plan heats up HK politics
Boxer's opponents capitalize on 'ma'am' exchange
U.S. envoy says no timetable yet for North Korea talks
Gaps in DNA databanks have led to tragedy
NBA launches Web, mobile sites for fans in India
|
Pakistan police probe Americans in terror case
NATO: Top US defense official visits Afghanistan
Accenture marks 1st sponsor to cut ties with Woods
Protest widens against creation of new Indian state
Clinics help people represent themselves in court
Philippine troops kill one militant after jailbreak
Obama to meet with bankers, then Lebanon's leader
Cambodia frees Thai 'spy' after pardon by king
26 operations, 13 kidneys: hope to few with little
16 policemen killed in 2 attacks in Afghanistan
Korean derivative funds rebound sharply; risks eyed
Toyota aims to roll out plug-in Prius in two years
`Avatar' joins tradition of the Hollywood colossus
China unveils landmark Turkmenistan pipeline
Coal still king in China, despite climate pledge
India inflation hit 4.8 percent in November
S.Lanka set for record current account surplus
Confidence grows at Japanese manufacturers
Golden Globes nominations launch Oscars race
India's gold retailers jump on the 'brandwagon'
History miniseries takes on the Kennedys
Downey's "Sherlock Holmes" an action hero
NBC launching "Chuck" game
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights