NATO Isn't Working

Possibly the most expensive office in the UK

This week, after 3 months holiday from the office, our 646 political representatives finally returned to their desks. These MPs voted for our military to go to war in Afghanistan yet they still have their annual 12 week summer holiday. There is no War Cabinet to plan strategy and troop movements; all we've had in the past 3 months is various politicians singularly popping up in the media insisting the military is well equipped. Because there is no structure within the government, the military bosses have also used the media to further their cause and at times their comments have been less than helpful but where else could they air their concerns? There is nowhere.

Parliament should have been in session throughout the summer and with a full War Cabinet in operation. Discussions between politicians and military chiefs should have been kept within this group and not played out in the media. The enemy will know, just from a simple internet search, how disorganised we are and using this to their advantage.

At PMQs yesterday Gordon Brown read a roll call of our war dead - all 37 of them. Thirty seven soldiers who died when our MPs were not in their place of business where national issues are debated.

Gordon Brown at PMQs: “This is a solemn moment for this House and our country. It is a day on which we put on record our gratitude and our commemoration of the sacrifice made by 37 of our armed forces serving our country in Afghanistan.”

Pity these brave soldiers had to wait 3 months before their ultimate sacrifice was acknowledged by our leaders isn't it. No, it's far more than a pity, it's shameful and shows the level of concern the UK government has for Her Majesty's Forces.

We have over 9,000 of our troops in a war zone - in a war which has no direction and one which the PM can't even justify, yet our Prime Minister decided the UK Parliament can take the The reasons for it are explained as "protecting our streets", "helping the Afghani people and getting them onside", "assisting with the training of the Afghan army".

Yesterday I noticed, when any politician was asked "Why are we there to help a corrupt Afghani government?" the above reasons, plus a few others, poured forth.

One of the most honest answers was from a politician (I can't remember his name) on radio yesterday. "We can't withdraw from Afghanistan, America needs us. Nato would collapse and Britain's standing as a military power would be greatly diminished."

That's more like it. NATO isn't working, many countries refuse to send troops to this war and others intend to withdraw troops next year, yet there's no mention of an emergency NATO summit to sort out problems. Why not? Is it because this is seen as America's war? Why aren't America and Britain insisting NATO meet to resolve the manning issues?

Now we're sending an extra 500 soldiers to the front. On Newsnight the Afghani ambassador said he was waiting for confirmation that Obama is also sending more troops. The spin being issued yesterday was that the 500 will only be sent if other NATO countries contribute. They won't, we all know that.

Meanwhile our soldiers will continue to be killed and maimed while they await orders from on high. Orders which should have been in place before they even left these shores and not made on the hoof by inexperienced politicians. Of course situations change instantly during war but our armed forces can handle instant changes of direction even when they're being pulled from pillar to post by various defence chiefs and politicians singing from different hymn sheets.

And yet, throughout the posturing and misinformation from the US and Britain, NATO continues to survive intact - no questions asked.

Not one more British soldier should be sent to Afghanistan until all NATO countries engage their military in this conflict and honour their NATO agreement. As most of my regular readers know, I would prefer we started a withdrawal schedule because this war will never be won.

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