UK Can’t Back Obama Pledge on Afghan Pullout

Tensions between Britain and America over the war in Afghanistan erupted into the open yesterday as the Defense Secretary questioned President Obama’s decision to put a date on the start of US troop withdrawals.

In an interview with The Times, Bob Ainsworth said that the Government would not follow Washington’s promise to start pulling out in 2011. “You can’t put a time on it. You’ve got to look at conditions,” he said.

He accepted that the public would not tolerate the war “going on for ever”, but insisted there was no deadline for withdrawal. “Nobody is talking about a drawdown, we are talking about bringing more in there...but we are talking about transition.” He said that it would be wrong to set a date for the start of troop reductions.

His comments reflect dismay at the highest level in the British Armed Forces about Mr Obama’s suggestion this week that US troop withdrawals would start by mid-2011. Britain expects to have substantial forces on the ground in Afghanistan for at least five or six more years.

David Cameron, the Conservative leader, also voiced disquiet over “artificial timetables”.

Speaking on a visit to Afghanistan, he said: “We all want to make progress and bring British troops home as soon as we can but any timetable has got to be based on success and results and we must not give people false hope.

“I think it is very important not to send mixed messages. Instead, let’s say we’re here to train up the Afghan National Army and police and as soon as the job is done we can bring our troops home. But don’t let’s set artificial timetables”...

Even if some parts of Afghanistan were handed over to local forces next year, he refused to say whether that meant some British soldiers could come home. “I think there’ll still be a job to be done for some time in other parts of the country...You’ve got to provide as many troops as you can to meet the needs of the mission.”

Editor's Note: Beside the fact that telling the enemy when you're going to leave is a monumentally bad idea, I suppose the snubbing of Gordon Brown and patting the Queen of England on the back didn't help Pres. Obama's cause...wouldn't you say?