UK's Brown stands firm on Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

UK's Brown stands firm on Afghanistan
By JENNIFER QUINN
Associated Press Writer

LONDON (AP) -- Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Afghanistan's government on Friday to take action against corruption, saying he would not risk more British lives there unless it reforms.

Brown said in a speech that success in Afghanistan is vital to Britain's security - but declared that if the Afghan government does not mend its ways it will forfeit the world's support.

"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.

The speech comes after the deaths of seven British soldiers in the past week, including five who were shot by an Afghan police officer they were training. Corruption-marred presidential elections and rising casualties have undermined British support for the war.

Increasing violence in the country is also threatening the U.N. mission there. On Thursday, the world body said it was temporarily relocating more than half of its international staff while it looks for safer accommodation, following an attack last week on a guesthouse that killed five staffers.


Rest of article at: http://ap.stripes.com/dynamic/stories/E/EU_BRITAIN_AFGHANISTAN_SPEECH?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-11-06-05-13-10