SNP, Plaid Cymru Urge Afghanistan Withdrawal

The leaders of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru at Westminster said it is time for the focus to shift from armed conflict to humanitarian efforts to rebuild communities across the region.

The Prime Minister indicated earlier this year that the UK Government will withdraw UK troops from combat operations by the end of 2015 - 14 years after the original 2001 intervention.

SNP defence spokesman and Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said: "President Obama has already stated his intention to bring American troops home by July 2011.

"If the US President can offer such certainty, why are British service personnel being fobbed off with vague commitments?

"UK involvement in Afghanistan has now lasted longer that either World War. If David Cameron is to make a New Year's resolution, it should be to bring troops home by Christmas 2011.

"Now is the time to focus on humanitarian efforts to ensure long-term stability in the region. As the UK's former ambassador to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, says, the army has been 'holding a wall up' in Helmand but 'no one has come along to build a buttress' of development."

Plaid Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd MP said the UK owes it to the troops, their families and the people of Afghanistan to begin a phased exit strategy transfer security to Afghan control.

He added: "Military operations in Afghanistan between 2008 and 2009 cost the taxpayer over £2.623 billion - that's £7.2 million per day, £300,000 per hour - a cost that continues to increase. But the reasons for leaving Afghanistan are not primarily connected with the cost.

"Military and civilian deaths were at an all-time high last year and I dearly hope that we do not lose another man or woman in 2011. It is time to bring the troops home - before more lives are taken."

They are half right. To continue with 'humanitarian efforts' perpetrates the Western encroachment into another culture and sovereignty. The West has no locus in Afghanistan, not even a humanitarian one. The 'humanitarian' efforts in other parts of the world are tainted with political and even religious implications. They will never be accepted as legitimate and always be seen, usually correctly, as a Trojan Horse.