Exclusive: Official - British troops out of Afghanistan by 2014

[Turborama]

Source: The Independent on Sunday

A communiqué containing a blueprint for British troops to pull out from Afghanistan in four years' time has been leaked ahead of a major international conference this week.

By Jonathan Owen and Brian Brady -

British troops are to pull out of Afghanistan by 2014, under a secret blueprint for drawing down coalition forces that is set to begin in a matter or months, it emerged last night. A leaked communiqué – a copy of which has been seen by The Independent on Sunday – reveals how President Hamid Karzai will announce the timetable for a "conditions-based and phased transition" at the International Conference on Afghanistan to be held in Kabul on Tuesday.

The meeting – which is set to map out the way ahead for the war-torn country – will be attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, and foreign ministers from more 70 countries. An agreed version of the document, marked "not for circulation", was sent to senior diplomats yesterday by Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations Special Representative in Afghanistan.

It states: "The international community expressed its support for the President of Afghanistan's objective that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) should lead and conduct military operations in all provinces by the end of 2014." This comes just weeks after Mr Hague hinted that British troops could leave by 2014, and is the first formal confirmation of the timescale that governments have been working towards behind the scenes to agree in recent months.

The communiqué goes on to pledge that the international community will continue to "provide the support necessary to increase security during this time, and the continued support in training, equipping and providing interim financing to the ANSF at every level to take on the task of securing their country". It adds: "The government of Afghanistan and the international community agreed to jointly assess provinces, with the aim of announcing by the end of 2010 that the process of transition is under way."

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/exclusive-official--troops-out-of-afghanistan-by-2014-2029419.html

[ixion]

1. No, really

they mean it this time. :eyes:

[Turborama]

2. Have they given a deadline like this before?

Genuine question as I don't remember the Brits giving one prior to this.

[Robb]

3. No. nt

[ixion]

6. wrong. nt

[ixion]

7. Sure they have. Don't forget: we've been there since 2003

And if you go back, they're always saying they're going to withdrawal a couple years down the road.

Here's an article from 2009 that says they'll leave by 2011. Oops.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2009/12/03/british-army-will-start-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-in-2011-reveals-gordon-brown-86908-21869603/

[Robb]

8. Oops, indeed. Next time, read your own link

:rofl:

[ixion]

11. Sorry, the article proves my point, much to your chagrin, I'm sure

GORDON BROWN has given his clearest hint yet that British troops will start being withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2011.

His comments came as Barack Obama explained why he was sending an extra 30,000 forces to the country to take on the Taliban.

This was my original point, but hey, nice try.

[Robb]

13. Only if you live on planet Make-Shit-Up

"Hints" aren't the same as dates. See if you can find a quote in there. :hi:

[Turborama]

9. We've been in Iraq since 2003, Afghanistan 2001

Anyway, just because the title of the article says it, doesn't make it true...

In the House of Commons yesterday, Brown said: "There was no question of us withdrawing our British troops until the point that we were sure that the Afghans could take over security control themselves.

"We will stay and do the job that is necessary."

Brown added: "By 2011 there will be over 300,000 troops - Afghan, American, British and coalition troops - and that is the point at which the balance between Afghan forces and British, American and coalition troops, will start to change.

"It is absolutely crucial for our strategy that the Afghans start to take control of security as soon as possible.

"Even if one or two parts of a district or a province are transferred in 2010, we will continue to have our troops in Afghanistan at that point."

"they're always saying they're going to withdrawal a couple years down the road."

How about giving a link to an actual withdrawal date they have given since 2001, then?

[ixion]

10. Ah, I see, so now you change parameters. You confirmed my original thesis

in your post, so there's nothing more I really have to prove.

But just in case, one word: Cakewalk.

[Turborama]

14. How did I confirm your "thesis"? That news article has no deadline in it apart from a BS title..

British Army will start withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2011, reveals Gordon Brown

That's all you've got to go on.

Let me spell it out for you...

The author of the article's title isn't Gordon Brown.

Nowhere in that article does Gordon Brown reveal any such thing.

It's a misleading headline.

There is no deadline for withdrawal in that article, which was my original question.

Ergo the only "parameter changing" has been your use of a fake article with a misleading headline.

Get it?

And what the fuck has cakewalk got to do with anything?

[Divine Discontent]

4. not even close to being quick enough...

[jimmie]

5. Agree

Not quick enough is right.

[panzerfaust]

12. America "Troops" to stay until Victory is Won

What will this victory look like, and how will we tell that we have won?

< Recently discovered Lost Army in Sahara

Quite possibly covered by a sandstorm.