"Britain May Be Left to Hold the Fort in Afghanistan"

[GreenPartyVoter]

Parliamentary elections this September in Afghanistan are intended to provide the next showcase moment for the US-led "global war on terror". But according to new independent assessments, security surrounding the polls is threatened by a new wave of insurgent attacks and the stability of the country remains on a knife-edge.

British defence officials are concerned the US could prematurely declare "mission accomplished" once the national assembly and provincial council votes are over.

The worry is that Pentagon pressure to cut US troop levels could leave Britain holding the baby when it assumes command of Nato's security assistance force next spring.

A report this week by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington questioned whether current US military and financial commitments would endure beyond the polls.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0727-06.htm