MPs critical of Britain's policy in Afghanistan

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Source: The Guardian

Counter-insurgency measures in Afghanistan are not working and could be counter-productive unless the US and its allies start peace talks with the Taliban, a parliamentary committee report will say today.

The cross-party report, by the Tory-led foreign affairs committee, follows a seven-month enquiry and argues that Britain's policy in Afghanistan is flawed.

It suggests that the justification for fighting the war – to eliminate Afghanistan as a base for al-Qaida – "may have been achieved some time ago" and it questions whether the sacrifices of the armed services in Afghanistan "have a direct connection to the UK's core objective".

The committee also queries whether the "ambitious aim" to defeat the Taliban and build a functioning, stable, Afghan government, is achievable.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/mar/02/mps-britain-policy-afghanistan