Brown: British Troops Will Be Removed If Afghanistan Does Not Tackle Corruption
LONDON — Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Washington's closest ally in Afghanistan, toughened his tone Friday with this harsh message for the Afghan leadership: Clean up your act – for real this time – or risk a cutoff of support.
In what 10 Downing Street billed as a major speech, Brown reflected public outrage over troop casualties by threatening to pull back support – and perhaps even additional troops – unless Afghan President Hamid Karzai cracked down on corruption. It was his first challenge since the Afghan leader was declared the winner of an election deeply marred by charges of fraud and ballot-rigging.
"I am not prepared to put the lives of British men and women in harm's way for a government that does not stand up against corruption," he said.
Brown's stark warning came as NATO allies in Brussels advised American officials on what policy President Barack Obama should embrace in Afghanistan, where the eight-year campaign against Taliban insurgents has stalled, with rising casualties for Western forces.
European political and military leaders are anxiously waiting for Obama to decide whether to increase troops levels – as sought by the top U.S. and NATO general in Afghanistan – or redefine the goals of the NATO-led mission.
Brown's challenge to the Afghan government also reflects the pressure he faces as public support for the conflict wanes in light of deaths among the British forces, including the loss this week of seven more soldiers.
Still, he stated that the effort to defeat Taliban insurgents is vital to British security, leading some lawmakers to say his threat to Karzai could not be taken seriously because Britain had no viable option but to stay and fight, regardless of the Karzai government's compromised position.
Conservative Party lawmaker Liam Fox, the party's defense spokesman, said Brown could not really reduce Britain's commitment if its own well-being is at stake.
"We must put pressure on the Karzai government to improve governance and tackle corruption, but if our mission in Afghanistan is a national security imperative, it can't be conditional on the behavior of others," he said.
He said it was not helpful for Britain's position to be "confused by mixed messages or empty threats."
The apparent disarray reflected the deterioration of the situation on the ground in Afghanistan as the European community looks to Obama for a decision that seems to some to be slow in coming.
"I personally believe that we can't have this delay for too much longer," said Richard Kemp, a retired colonel who was British commander in Afghanistan.
He believes Obama will soon embrace the advice of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and add 40,000 or more troops to the U.S. contingent.
"I do not believe he has any option," Kemp said.
Kemp also said Brown's speech contained contradictions. He said the warnings to Karzai were made for the benefit of the British public, which is unhappy with the course of the war and the performance of the government.
"We won't be able to withdraw, whether or not there is improvement," he said. "The bottom line is to be in Afghanistan to counter terrorism, and to prevent Pakistan from falling into extremist hands. I don't see we have a choice in that matter."
The Afghan leader has repeatedly promised to work to clean up his government. Corruption is deeply rooted in Afghanistan, a country awash in drug money, and where bribes are a part of everyday life.
Karzai's spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said that Afghan and international officials needed to work together to counter corruption.
"The president has renewed his commitment in fighting this menace by redoubling his government's efforts," Hamidzada said. "But fighting corruption requires closer and more effective cooperation between the government of Afghanistan and the international community."
In Brussels, European NATO members told the American delegation that all decisions on possible contributions to the war effort – involving more trainers, more funding, and providing civilian experts for reconstruction projects – will remain on hold until the Obama administration completes its policy review, officials said.
Rifts have already emerged between the allies on how to beef up the international force.
Canada and the Netherlands have announced plans to start reducing their contingents, and others have said they would not increase their contributions to the international force, but Britain and some other members have indicated they would consider a modest boost in troop numbers.
The latest consultations came as a top NATO general said he feared that waning public support for the war could undermine allied efforts to stabilize the Karzai's graft-ridden government.
"The clock in Afghanistan is clearly running against us," said German Gen. Egon Ramms, whose Allied Joint Forces Command oversees NATO forces in Afghanistan. "In the end, politicians will not go against their public opinion."
British newspapers reported opinion polls showing the public tiring of the extended war, and the mother of Sgt. Major Darren Chant, one of five British soldiers killed Tuesday by a rogue Afghan policeman, on Friday joined calls for the troops to come home.
"Darren wouldn't have me say anything bad, but I do think that those boys should come home now because there's too many being killed," Elizabeth Chant said.
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Associated Press Writers Slobodan Lekic in Brussels and Sylvia Hui and Jennifer Quinn in London contributed to this report.
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GREGORY KATZ | 11/ 6/09 02:58 PM |