BBC or Government Lies?
Paxman | 11.12.2001 16:18
No decision has been claimed by either Phoney McBlair or by the BBC. However, contacts within the UK Military have already announced to some of their troops ( 3,000 ) have been briefed to get themselves together in prep. to take over from the US forces in Afghan BEFORE CHRISTMAS! - who's lying?
Britain has "in principle" indicated its willingness to take a leading role in a UN-mandated international security force for Afghanistan but no final decisions have been taken yet, Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
Tuesday, 11 December, 2001, 14:04 GMT
UK 'willing' to take Afghan peace role
Powell: "UK volunteered for leadership role"
Britain has "in principle" indicated its willingness to take a leading role in a UN-mandated international security force for Afghanistan but no final decisions have been taken yet, Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
Speaking in Paris before a meeting with Mr Blair, the US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the British Government had volunteered to take the "leadership role" in the force.
But the prime minister's official spokesman said British forces would not be used in a "unilateralist" manner.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it had not be given any tasks yet by either the government or the United Nations.
Mr Powell's comments prompted anticipation that an official announcement of the UK's role in keeping the peace in the war torn country was imminent.
'UK steps forward'
He said: "I am pleased that the United Kingdom is willing to step forward and volunteer for a leadership role."
But in London Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "We are very pleased that Colin Powell has such a high opinion of our contribution that he wants us to do more. We welcome that.
"But equally it would be totally wrong for us to be unilateralist about this in any way."
We're ready to provide further troops to assist the military and diplomatic effort
Jack Straw
Earlier the head of the UK's armed forces admitted "some slight difference of emphasis between the US and the UK".
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce hinted at the divergence between the two main members of the alliance on what to do after the defeat of the Taleban, particularly over what to do with Iraq.
The latest official word from the British government is that a decision over troop deployment to Afghanistan will be made shortly.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "We've always made it clear we're ready to provide further troops to assist the military and diplomatic effort."
Tuesday, 11 December, 2001, 14:04 GMT
UK 'willing' to take Afghan peace role
Powell: "UK volunteered for leadership role"
Britain has "in principle" indicated its willingness to take a leading role in a UN-mandated international security force for Afghanistan but no final decisions have been taken yet, Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
Speaking in Paris before a meeting with Mr Blair, the US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the British Government had volunteered to take the "leadership role" in the force.
But the prime minister's official spokesman said British forces would not be used in a "unilateralist" manner.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it had not be given any tasks yet by either the government or the United Nations.
Mr Powell's comments prompted anticipation that an official announcement of the UK's role in keeping the peace in the war torn country was imminent.
'UK steps forward'
He said: "I am pleased that the United Kingdom is willing to step forward and volunteer for a leadership role."
But in London Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "We are very pleased that Colin Powell has such a high opinion of our contribution that he wants us to do more. We welcome that.
"But equally it would be totally wrong for us to be unilateralist about this in any way."
We're ready to provide further troops to assist the military and diplomatic effort
Jack Straw
Earlier the head of the UK's armed forces admitted "some slight difference of emphasis between the US and the UK".
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce hinted at the divergence between the two main members of the alliance on what to do after the defeat of the Taleban, particularly over what to do with Iraq.
The latest official word from the British government is that a decision over troop deployment to Afghanistan will be made shortly.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "We've always made it clear we're ready to provide further troops to assist the military and diplomatic effort."
Paxman
Homepage:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1703000/1703807.stm
Comments
Display the following comment