Nato credibility at stake in Afghanistan after Taliban surprise: Britain

LONDON – Britain said yesterday that the credibility of Nato was at stake in Afghanistan after it was surprised by the tenacity of the Taliban resistance.

In a speech to the Royal United Services Institute in London, Defence Secretary Des Browne said: “We do have to accept that it’s been even harder than we expected. “The Taliban’s tenacity in the face of massive losses has been a surprise, absorbing more of our effort than we predicted it would and consequently slowing progress in reconstruction.”Instead, Browne called for a recommitment of all 26 Nato members to the task of bringing peace and stability to the war-ravaged country, despite recent heavy losses.Browne said that there were “understandable concerns” among member countries at bolstering the reconstruction and stability force in Afghanistan because of the risks posed to troops in the country.”But those of us who are already fully committed in the south ourselves, the Canadians, the Dutch and the Estonians and the ever-present Americans must remind our partners that it was their agreement of support that brought us to this point,” he told the audience.Nampa-AFP”The Taliban’s tenacity in the face of massive losses has been a surprise, absorbing more of our effort than we predicted it would and consequently slowing progress in reconstruction.”Instead, Browne called for a recommitment of all 26 Nato members to the task of bringing peace and stability to the war-ravaged country, despite recent heavy losses.Browne said that there were “understandable concerns” among member countries at bolstering the reconstruction and stability force in Afghanistan because of the risks posed to troops in the country.”But those of us who are already fully committed in the south ourselves, the Canadians, the Dutch and the Estonians and the ever-present Americans must remind our partners that it was their agreement of support that brought us to this point,” he told the audience.Nampa-AFP