US - UK Military Command Conflict: US wants David Richards Fired
Afghani Blog | 12.12.2006 19:47 | Analysis | Anti-militarism | World
The American supreme commander of Nato, (General Jim Jones) has let it be known, that the British commander of the Nato force in Afghanistan (Lieutenant-General David Richards) "would have been sacked if he had been an American officer".
British sources have blamed pressure from the CIA for Karzai's decision to dismiss governor Mohammed Daud - Karzai had listened to advice from "other powerful Western players".
"The Americans knew Daud was a main British ally, yet they deliberately undermined him and told Karzai to sack him."
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CIA is undermining British war effort, say military chiefs Independent
British intelligence officers and military commanders have accused the US of undermining British policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, after the sacking of a key British ally in the Afghan province of Helmand.
British sources have blamed pressure from the CIA for President Hamid Karzai's decision to dismiss Mohammed Daud as governor of Helmand (who had replaced a man the British accused of involvement in opium trafficking.)
One official said, "The Americans knew Daud was a main British ally, yet they deliberately undermined him and told Karzai to sack him." Although rival delegations from Helmand were in Kabul last week, Karzai had listened to advice from "other powerful Western players".
Daud was seen as a key player in Britain's anti-drugs campaign in Helmand. He was also the architect of a deal under which British forces moved out of the town of Musa Qala. But the Americans publicly criticised these truces, saying they effectively gave in to the Taliban.
Also, the American supreme commander of Nato, General Jim Jones, has let it be known, that (the British commander of the Nato force in Afghanistan) Lieutenant-General David Richards "would have been sacked if he had been an American officer".
The official said the Defence Secretary, Des Browne, was "tearing his hair out" about the Daud firing. With British commanders warning that they may not be able to succeed in Afghanistan unless forces in Iraq are drawn down, cracks in the transatlantic alliance are likely to widen.
AND IN IRAQ TOO
In Iraq, a confidential assessment of the situation in Iraq has also reported "serious tensions" in the US-UK coalition. American commanders oppose the British strategy for handing over Maysan and Basra provinces to Iraqi control as part of an exit strategy. The confidential assessment of the situation there says American commanders want the British to be far more robust in confronting Shia militias in the south.
SEE:
http://afghaniblog.livejournal.com/15276.html
"The Americans knew Daud was a main British ally, yet they deliberately undermined him and told Karzai to sack him."
-----------------------------------
CIA is undermining British war effort, say military chiefs Independent
British intelligence officers and military commanders have accused the US of undermining British policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, after the sacking of a key British ally in the Afghan province of Helmand.
British sources have blamed pressure from the CIA for President Hamid Karzai's decision to dismiss Mohammed Daud as governor of Helmand (who had replaced a man the British accused of involvement in opium trafficking.)
One official said, "The Americans knew Daud was a main British ally, yet they deliberately undermined him and told Karzai to sack him." Although rival delegations from Helmand were in Kabul last week, Karzai had listened to advice from "other powerful Western players".
Daud was seen as a key player in Britain's anti-drugs campaign in Helmand. He was also the architect of a deal under which British forces moved out of the town of Musa Qala. But the Americans publicly criticised these truces, saying they effectively gave in to the Taliban.
Also, the American supreme commander of Nato, General Jim Jones, has let it be known, that (the British commander of the Nato force in Afghanistan) Lieutenant-General David Richards "would have been sacked if he had been an American officer".
The official said the Defence Secretary, Des Browne, was "tearing his hair out" about the Daud firing. With British commanders warning that they may not be able to succeed in Afghanistan unless forces in Iraq are drawn down, cracks in the transatlantic alliance are likely to widen.
AND IN IRAQ TOO
In Iraq, a confidential assessment of the situation in Iraq has also reported "serious tensions" in the US-UK coalition. American commanders oppose the British strategy for handing over Maysan and Basra provinces to Iraqi control as part of an exit strategy. The confidential assessment of the situation there says American commanders want the British to be far more robust in confronting Shia militias in the south.
SEE:
http://afghaniblog.livejournal.com/15276.html
Afghani Blog