ROBERTSON REPEATS RETHINK CALL ON AFGHAN STRATEGY.

ROBERTSON REPEATS RETHINK CALL ON AFGHAN STRATEGY.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP has repeated calls for a major rethink of UK strategy in Afghanistan following the publication of a damning Foreign Affairs Select Committee report today (Sunday) which hits out at the UK Government’s lack of coherent vision and strategy.

Mr Robertson, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, has previously warned about ‘mission creep’ and said a serious review of strategy – after the Afghan elections this month – was necessary to convince people that the government has an achievable strategy.

Mr Robertson said:

“Over recent weeks public concern has focused on the lack of equipment for our forces but this report raises much wider questions about the UK Governments role in Afghanistan, and it must focus the minds of Ministers.

“What is required is a major rethink that looks at all the options and that will give people, not least our troops themselves, the confidence that the right strategy is being pursued and is achievable.

“This report adds to the growing uncertainty that people have over whether the best strategy has been pursued. The awful toll of military personnel killed in Afghanistan has understandably led to questions about just what our forces are fighting for, and there is a fear that the Iraq war has been a distraction from the early window of opportunity in Afghanistan.

“After almost eight years our military personnel deserve a realistic and focussed approach from the UK government – and Ministers must take the initiative after the Afghan elections this month to rethink our strategy and objectives reflecting the wider regional concerns.

“Earlier this year I saw at first hand the reality of the situation facing our brave forces, and now is the time for total candour on the human and material cost of the ongoing operations, its timescale and its chances for success.”