71% Support Afghan Withdrawal: (UK) Poll

[tekisui]

Source: Press Association

A large majority of voters wants British troops out of Afghanistan within a year, according to a new poll.

Some 71% of those quizzed by pollsters ComRes said they would back a phased withdrawal leading to an end of combat operations within 12 months, against 22% who disagreed.

And 47% said the continued deployment of the 9,000-strong UK force made terrorism at home more likely, against 44% who said it does not.

The findings, in the survey for the Independent on Sunday, came as the British deputy commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan spoke out about his son's horrific injuries after falling victim to a Taliban roadside bomb.

Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker said that shortages of equipment were not to blame for his 26-year-old son Harry, a captain in 4 Rifles, losing both legs as a result of the booby-trap bomb in July.

Gen Parker said that the kit supplied to British troops is right for the job they are doing. And he suggested that the key to stemming casualties in achieving military success in the country, where 232 British personnel have lost their lives since 2001, is not more helicopters but a strategy to win the hearts and minds of local people by getting out into their communities.

more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gTXZ-eOe6liz4h5SN7tJp5TmrB3A

[Sinti]

1. Wow - I wonder what the US numbers are

or would be if they had plenty of info on the details.

[JDPriestly]

2. Wonderful! The British caused the mess in that area of the world

when they precipitously left the Indians and Pakistanis to massacre each other (not sure who is at fault there) as British occupation/rule came to a close. The events that caused these problems are portrayed in the Indian film, "Earth." I recommend that everyone watch that film.

The British should take responsibility for the mess they left in their wake.