Britain in Afghanistan Debate

Britain in Afghanistan

University College London

16/03/2010

Ivan Lewis MP - Minister for Afghanistan

Border with Pakistan is of greatest concern - how the international terrorist groups communicate with each other and move resources.

The coalition needs to ensure that the people of Afghanistan will be ready for the return of the Taliban and will be able to resist them.

How to do it?

-       Strong, effective, uncorrupted government focused not only on Kabul but also on the regions and tribal communities

-       a strong army and police force to ensure security

-       Economic and social progress, which would send a message to the Afghans that the transparent government is the best way forward

-       Build a decent education and health system - the quality of life must increase

New clear international plan for Afghanistan agreed on the London conference at the beginning of 2010. 65 countries worked on the plan.

All of the tribal and ethnic groups must be given a fair share in the governance system.

Empowerment of the local traditional elder system.

A genuine effort to prevent corruption and increase government transparency - government must be seen as the servant, not the master of the people.

Afghanistan has mineral wealth and agricultural potential.

Pakistan is absolutely the most important partner, although it's got its own problems as well. UK is assisting Pakistan to deal with the terrorist threat within its own borders.

Progress made: 7 million Afghan children in school compared to 1 million in 2002. Longer life expectancy. Bigger proportion of girls in schools. Village councils elected in the local communities, which now implement development projects. In a recent Afghan BBC poll most Afghans expressed optimism and the feeling their country is heading in the right direction.

A lot of the insurgents act for economic, not political nor ideological reasons (they're paid 10 US dollars a day). It is possible to persuade them to give up fighting and start working legally in the villages.

What is important is not to introduce Western-style democracy; it is to introduce Afghan-style democracy. You cannot hope to achieve our system of government in a society that is feudal and medieval.

How long are we going to stay there? As long as it takes to fix it.

Bill Rammell MP - Armed Forces Minister

Controlling the impact of Afghanistan on Pakistan is crucial for maintaining security.

There is no exclusively military solution to the Taliban problem - political steps must be implemented as well, they must be integrated into the society.

20% of the Taliban are ideological jihadists, 80% fight for the living - means that 80% of them would resign if they would be given opportunity to earn a living differently.

Afghanistan is the 5^th poorest country in the world.

Most of the people killed by Al-Kaida in the recent decade were Muslims - the conflict in Afghanistan is not a war on Islam.

If we withdraw without combating the extremists it would sent a powerful message to all the insurgents around the world that it is possible for them to succeed.

Gordon Messenger - Major General

The military coalition forces are present in Afghanistan mostly to provide the security of the society so that the Afghan government and people can normally function and flourish in 'everyday' conditions.