Tuesday 9 February 2010

Another British Soldier Killed - RIP



Another British soldier, from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the counter-IED Task Force, has been killed by an explosion in the Nad-e-Ali district, in central Helmand Province. He was killed yesterday.

His death follows that of the two soldiers killed in an explosion on Sunday and means 256 personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001.

Speaking to the media this past weekend, Bob Ainsworth said, in an attempt to show how the Westminster government ignores public opinion:


"Of course casualties are something that we have to expect when we are involved in these operations, and people have had that brought home to them," he said.

"This is not in any way a safe environment and it doesn't matter how much kit and equipment we provide for people, we can never entirely make these operations risk-free.

"But they are well planned and there is good provision and we can only hope for success for our people in bringing that relief for the Afghan people and the Afghan countryside.

"People will do everything they can to minimise casualties and it is at the forefront of the minds of the people that plan all of our operations.

"But we shouldn't deny ... casualties are a very real risk on these types of operations and people have to be prepared for that."


10 comments:

Witterings from Witney said...

RIP indeed SR.

It seems to me that before attempting to put someone's house in order, we should put our own in order.

So when the hell do we get out??

subrosa said...

I heard a commentary last night WFW and it was said that if this fails then we'll be out pronto and if it doesn't then we may have a slow withdrawal.

Not too sure if I agree with that.

Clarinda said...

What has happened to all the talk of negotiating with and giving money to the Taliban? Has that been reversed or is the US laying down too many deliberate Westernesque conditions for the Taliban.

The decision to withdraw or persist in Afghanistan, according to the outcome of Operation Moshtarak, wouldn't be made even theoretically on the hustings before May 6th - would it? Surely not - as I presume to withdraw would be a vote-winner and to achieve success against the 'enemy' would also be a vote-winner - although a little more tentative than a withdrawal. Just exactly who is Operation Moshtarak a 'win-win' situation for in the UK?

I suppose a consolidated foothold in Afghanistan close to the Iran border is necessary - the old hawk, Mr Cheney, thinks so at any rate.

Too many more handsome young faces to fill our screens - for what, I really don't understand.

Crinkly & Ragged Arsed Philosophers said...

What have we been doing in Afghanistan for 9 years?

The same as we intend to do in Moshtarak.

Meanwhile the Taliban will pack their tents and slip off into the night - or bury their AK47 and pick up their hoe. From jihadist to peasant in a five second illusion.

Save the World - ignore the War on Terror; back the War on Incompetence.

Strathturret said...

The reality is it will go on until the USA decides to give up.

We can either stay with our 'best buddies' or go. We are not in control at present.

subrosa said...

All I can deduce Clarinda is that the talk was a pack of lies.

Surely they would offer the bribes before they went in all guns blazing? If for no other reason other than to preserve lives.

subrosa said...

I believe they're excellent at that RA - the quick change.

They're also excellent at laying UEDs which of course will be in their wake.

subrosa said...

No we're not in the least Strathturret. We haven't been in control for years.

It's another Iraq where, if you notice at the present Inquiry, the UK didn't even seem to question anything the US ordered.

Strathturret said...

Robert Harris the novelist who used to be a New Labour supporter made the point some time ago that Britain's last three PMs had all made a fortune out of USA after retiring.

Thatcher - books and lectures
Major - dodgy defence companies with Bushes on board
Blair - books, lectures, bank directorships + God knows what next.

Who's interest were they serving in office?

subrosa said...

Strathturret, there's a video going round in which Blair is interviewed in the US. His grovelling is pathetic.

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