Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Thursday, 31 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 2002. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 November 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the strategy is of coalition forces in Afghanistan; if they will take part in the provision of security beyond Kabul to achieve the ISAF effect; and what involvement in humanitarian activities they will have. - Inc ref to "Defeating International Terrorism: Campaign Objectives", copy in Library.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strategy is of coalition forces in Afghanistan; if they will take part in the provision of security beyond Kabul to achieve the ISAF effect; and what involvement in humanitarian activities they will have. [79686] Mr. Hoon: Our objectives for the campaign against international terrorism, and for our forces in Afghanistan, were set out in the paper entitled "Defeating International Terrorism: Campaign Objectives", a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House of Commons on 16 October 2001. We continue to work towards achieving all these aims. As part of this, we are considering with our coalition partners who we might aid the Islamic Transitional Authority of Afghanistan to stabilize further Afghanistan's regions. No decisions on what that might involve have been taken.

Secondary information