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Taliban (136)
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The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that in the last week alone I have spoken to those involved in providing such forces in Berlin in the person of the German Minister of Defence, and in Paris in the person of the newly appointed Defence Minister, and, as I have already told the House, I had a long conversation with Javier Solana seeking further EU support on the civil side for what we are doing. So the hon. Gentleman can rest assured that despite my responsibilities in relation to Scotland I have not fallen down on this issue or the challenge that I identified some time ago in getting other countries to increase their support to us, particularly in the south of Afghanistan. I anticipate that we will see improvements in relation to that. For example, he will have noticed that the Danish Parliament has effectively agreed to send a battle group to Helmand, which will operate partly under our command in the central part of Helmand province and will make a significant contribution to our ability to continue the work of the Mechanised Brigade there, whose success and commitment I thank the hon. Gentleman for recognising.
The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that in the last week alone I have spoken to those involved in providing such forces in Berlin in the person of the German Minister of Defence, and in Paris in the person of the newly appointed Defence Minister, and, as I have already told the House, I had a long conversation with Javier Solana seeking further EU support on the civil side for what we are doing. So the hon. Gentleman can rest assured that despite my responsibilities in relation to Scotland I have not fallen down on this issue or the challenge that I identified some time ago in getting other countries to increase their support to us, particularly in the south of Afghanistan. I anticipate that we will see improvements in relation to that. For example, he will have noticed that the Danish Parliament has effectively agreed to send a battle group to Helmand, which will operate partly under our command in the central part of Helmand province and will make a significant contribution to our ability to continue the work of the Mechanised Brigade there, whose success and commitment I thank the hon. Gentleman for recognising.
Answered by
Lord Browne of Ladyton
(Labour)
Asked by
Bernard Jenkin
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Oral answers to questions
When the Defence Committee recently visited Afghanistan we found 12 Mechanised Brigade in extremely good heart and determined to beat the Taliban, but is it not distressing that British armed forces bear the brunt while so many of our European allies fail to provide the military commitment that they should be obliged to provide under the NATO treaty? Will the Secretary of State tell the Prime Minister that he needs to spend every waking hour travelling the capitals of Europe to drum up more support for these operations? How is he able to spend time on anything other than his defence responsibilities?
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c18
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I agree with the hon. Gentleman. The last time Defence questions were held, I told the House that my view was that that was happening. We have successfully interdicted the transfer of arms across the Iranian border into the southern part of Afghanistan. To my knowledge, on at least two occasions—perhaps even more—we have identified markings on weaponry that suggest that it had its origins in Iran. Of course, because of the complex nature of the Iranian regime, it is often difficult to identify exactly how the situation came about, and who in the regime may, or may not, have known about it. As I have explained before in the House, in my view if a regime is constructed to create that confusion, it has to take responsibility for what the confused parts of it do. That is, and has been, my position, and that is why, in all the international discussions that I have on the issue with people from across the world, I bring the fact that that is happening to the attention of all those who wish to talk to me, and I say that they ought to make it clear to the Iranians that it is unacceptable.
I agree with the hon. Gentleman. The last time Defence questions were held, I told the House that my view was that that was happening. We have successfully interdicted the transfer of arms across the Iranian border into the southern part of Afghanistan. To my knowledge, on at least two occasions—perhaps even more—we have identified markings on weaponry that suggest that it had its origins in Iran. Of course, because of the complex nature of the Iranian regime, it is often difficult to identify exactly how the situation came about, and who in the regime may, or may not, have known about it. As I have explained before in the House, in my view if a regime is constructed to create that confusion, it has to take responsibility for what the confused parts of it do. That is, and has been, my position, and that is why, in all the international discussions that I have on the issue with people from across the world, I bring the fact that that is happening to the attention of all those who wish to talk to me, and I say that they ought to make it clear to the Iranians that it is unacceptable.
Answered by
Lord Browne of Ladyton
(Labour)
Asked by
David Jones
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Oral answers to questions
What is the Secretary of State’s assessment of the recent statement made by the United States Secretary of Defence, who said that there is evidence of a substantial flow of weapons from Iran to the insurgents in Afghanistan—a view that appears to be supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office? Does the Secretary of State agree that if the Iranian regime is indeed engaged in arming the Taliban, that would amount to a direct challenge, not only to NATO but to the authority of the United Nations?
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c17-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
One of the challenges that I face is that any answers to the hon. Gentleman’s questions would seem bland. He consistently questions me on this and I pay tribute to his consistency. The fact that we disagree does not necessarily mean that he is right and I am wrong. Earlier, I gave a litany of other experts, organisations and representatives of the international community who do not share his view. - The first point that I need to make is that our deployment of troops to Helmand province was not an invasion. We were invited there by the sovereign Government of Afghanistan in the context of a United Nations Security Council resolution. I fully respect the views of the hon. Gentleman and Lord Inge on this, and I consider them carefully. However, the hon. Gentleman does not have a monopoly of views among those who have expertise in relation to military issues, and his views are not supported by other advice that I receive from people who are as well qualified as he is.
One of the challenges that I face is that any answers to the hon. Gentleman’s questions would seem bland. He consistently questions me on this and I pay tribute to his consistency. The fact that we disagree does not necessarily mean that he is right and I am wrong. Earlier, I gave a litany of other experts, organisations and representatives of the international community who do not share his view. - The first point that I need to make is that our deployment of troops to Helmand province was not an invasion. We were invited there by the sovereign Government of Afghanistan in the context of a United Nations Security Council resolution. I fully respect the views of the hon. Gentleman and Lord Inge on this, and I consider them carefully. However, the hon. Gentleman does not have a monopoly of views among those who have expertise in relation to military issues, and his views are not supported by other advice that I receive from people who are as well qualified as he is.
Answered by
Lord Browne of Ladyton
(Labour)
Asked by
Peter Tapsell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Oral answers to questions
The right hon. Gentleman and his two predecessors as Secretary of State for Defence have been dismissive of my warnings about the unwisdom of our latest invasion of Afghanistan, but will he at least take seriously the speech in another place last week by Field Marshal Lord Inge, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) has already referred, but to whose supplementary the Minister chose not to reply? The Field Marshal, who himself has recently visited Afghanistan, said that the situation in Afghanistan is"““much, much more serious than people want to recognise””"
and spoke of"““strategic failure””. —[Official Report, House of Lords, 11 July 2007; Vol. 693, c. 1467-68.]"
How does that measure up against these interminable, bland replies by the right hon. Gentleman? -
What about Lord Inge?
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c18-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What is the Secretary of State’s assessment of the recent statement made by the United States Secretary of Defence, who said that there is evidence of a substantial flow of weapons from Iran to the insurgents in Afghanistan—a view that appears to be supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office? Does the Secretary of State agree that if the Iranian regime is indeed engaged in arming the Taliban, that would amount to a direct challenge, not only to NATO but to the authority of the United Nations?
What is the Secretary of State’s assessment of the recent statement made by the United States Secretary of Defence, who said that there is evidence of a substantial flow of weapons from Iran to the insurgents in Afghanistan—a view that appears to be supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office? Does the Secretary of State agree that if the Iranian regime is indeed engaged in arming the Taliban, that would amount to a direct challenge, not only to NATO but to the authority of the United Nations?
Asked by
David Jones
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 July 2007
I agree with the hon. Gentleman. The last time Defence questions were held, I told the House that my view was that that was happening. We have successfully interdicted the transfer of arms across the Iranian border into the southern part of Afghanistan. To my knowledge, on at least two occasions—perhaps even more—we have identified markings on weaponry that suggest that it had its origins in Iran. Of course, because of the complex nature of the Iranian regime, it is often difficult to identify exactly how the situation came about, and who in the regime may, or may not, have known about it. As I have explained before in the House, in my view if a regime is constructed to create that confusion, it has to take responsibility for what the confused parts of it do. That is, and has been, my position, and that is why, in all the international discussions that I have on the issue with people from across the world, I bring the fact that that is happening to the attention of all those who wish to talk to me, and I say that they ought to make it clear to the Iranians that it is unacceptable.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Weapons; Afghanistan; Iran; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c17-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
When the Defence Committee recently visited Afghanistan we found 12 Mechanised Brigade in extremely good heart and determined to beat the Taliban, but is it not distressing that British armed forces bear the brunt while so many of our European allies fail to provide the military commitment that they should be obliged to provide under the NATO treaty? Will the Secretary of State tell the Prime Minister that he needs to spend every waking hour travelling the capitals of Europe to drum up more support for these operations? How is he able to spend time on anything other than his defence responsibilities?
When the Defence Committee recently visited Afghanistan we found 12 Mechanised Brigade in extremely good heart and determined to beat the Taliban, but is it not distressing that British armed forces bear the brunt while so many of our European allies fail to provide the military commitment that they should be obliged to provide under the NATO treaty? Will the Secretary of State tell the Prime Minister that he needs to spend every waking hour travelling the capitals of Europe to drum up more support for these operations? How is he able to spend time on anything other than his defence responsibilities?
Asked by
Bernard Jenkin
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 July 2007
The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that in the last week alone I have spoken to those involved in providing such forces in Berlin in the person of the German Minister of Defence, and in Paris in the person of the newly appointed Defence Minister, and, as I have already told the House, I had a long conversation with Javier Solana seeking further EU support on the civil side for what we are doing. So the hon. Gentleman can rest assured that despite my responsibilities in relation to Scotland I have not fallen down on this issue or the challenge that I identified some time ago in getting other countries to increase their support to us, particularly in the south of Afghanistan. I anticipate that we will see improvements in relation to that. For example, he will have noticed that the Danish Parliament has effectively agreed to send a battle group to Helmand, which will operate partly under our command in the central part of Helmand province and will make a significant contribution to our ability to continue the work of the Mechanised Brigade there, whose success and commitment I thank the hon. Gentleman for recognising.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c18
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The right hon. Gentleman and his two predecessors as Secretary of State for Defence have been dismissive of my warnings about the unwisdom of our latest invasion of Afghanistan, but will he at least take seriously the speech in another place last week by Field Marshal Lord Inge, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) has already referred, but to whose supplementary the Minister chose not to reply? The Field Marshal, who himself has recently visited Afghanistan, said that the situation in Afghanistan is"““much, much more serious than people want to recognise””"
and spoke of"““strategic failure””. —[Official Report, House of Lords, 11 July 2007; Vol. 693, c. 1467-68.]"
How does that measure up against these interminable, bland replies by the right hon. Gentleman? -
What about Lord Inge?
The right hon. Gentleman and his two predecessors as Secretary of State for Defence have been dismissive of my warnings about the unwisdom of our latest invasion of Afghanistan, but will he at least take seriously the speech in another place last week by Field Marshal Lord Inge, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) has already referred, but to whose supplementary the Minister chose not to reply? The Field Marshal, who himself has recently visited Afghanistan, said that the situation in Afghanistan is"““much, much more serious than people want to recognise””"
and spoke of"““strategic failure””. —[Official Report, House of Lords, 11 July 2007; Vol. 693, c. 1467-68.]"
How does that measure up against these interminable, bland replies by the right hon. Gentleman? -
What about Lord Inge?
Asked by
Peter Tapsell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 July 2007
One of the challenges that I face is that any answers to the hon. Gentleman’s questions would seem bland. He consistently questions me on this and I pay tribute to his consistency. The fact that we disagree does not necessarily mean that he is right and I am wrong. Earlier, I gave a litany of other experts, organisations and representatives of the international community who do not share his view. - The first point that I need to make is that our deployment of troops to Helmand province was not an invasion. We were invited there by the sovereign Government of Afghanistan in the context of a United Nations Security Council resolution. I fully respect the views of the hon. Gentleman and Lord Inge on this, and I consider them carefully. However, the hon. Gentleman does not have a monopoly of views among those who have expertise in relation to military issues, and his views are not supported by other advice that I receive from people who are as well qualified as he is.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c18-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Taliban are currently able to threaten Afghan and international security forces in parts of eastern and southern Afghanistan by means of improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers and small-scale attacks. They have not been able to hold territory in the face of offensive action by Afghan and international security forces. The recent loss of a number of senior commanders as a result of action by international forces is likely to have had an impact on the Taliban’s ability to plan and co-ordinate operations.
The Taliban are currently able to threaten Afghan and international security forces in parts of eastern and southern Afghanistan by means of improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers and small-scale attacks. They have not been able to hold territory in the face of offensive action by Afghan and international security forces. The recent loss of a number of senior commanders as a result of action by international forces is likely to have had an impact on the Taliban’s ability to plan and co-ordinate operations.
Answered by
Lord Browne of Ladyton
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c17
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What recent assessment he has made of the military capability of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
What recent assessment he has made of the military capability of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Asked by
David Jones
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Browne of Ladyton
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 July 2007
For answer on
16 July 2007
Answered on
16 July 2007
The Taliban are currently able to threaten Afghan and international security forces in parts of eastern and southern Afghanistan by means of improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers and small-scale attacks. They have not been able to hold territory in the face of offensive action by Afghan and international security forces. The recent loss of a number of senior commanders as a result of action by international forces is likely to have had an impact on the Taliban’s ability to plan and co-ordinate operations.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan; Taliban
Date
16 July 2007
Reference
463 c17; 149381
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Statement on force levels in Afghanistan.
Statement on force levels in Afghanistan.
Lead member
Lord Browne of Ladyton
Department
Ministry of Defence
Type
Ministerial statements
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
457 c619-35
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Lords statement on force levels in Afghanistan.
Lords statement on force levels in Afghanistan.
Lead member
Lord Drayson
Department
Ministry of Defence
Type
Ministerial statements
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
689 c1378-92
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct in his shortened definition of article 5, in terms of mutual risk, and I agree with the words that he used. He can rest assured that I have asked the Governments of all the forces in Afghanistan that are capable of being deployed in...
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct in his shortened definition of article 5, in terms of mutual risk, and I agree with the words that he used. He can rest assured that I have asked the Governments of all the forces in Afghanistan that are capable of being deployed in...
Member
Lord Browne of Ladyton
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
457 c632
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I am sure that my right hon. Friend will join me in recognising the role that thousands of servicemen and women play in Afghanistan. They will welcome the extra flexibility that will come from the additional manoeuvre, reconnaissance and surveillance capability that he today announced will be deployed. I welcome...
I am sure that my right hon. Friend will join me in recognising the role that thousands of servicemen and women play in Afghanistan. They will welcome the extra flexibility that will come from the additional manoeuvre, reconnaissance and surveillance capability that he today announced will be deployed. I welcome...
Member
Linda Gilroy
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
457 c632
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I begin by thanking the Secretary of State for his statement and prior notice of it. Yet again, it is to be greatly regretted that we read about the announcement of extra British troop deployments in the press at the weekend before hearing it in the House of Commons. I...
I begin by thanking the Secretary of State for his statement and prior notice of it. Yet again, it is to be greatly regretted that we read about the announcement of extra British troop deployments in the press at the weekend before hearing it in the House of Commons. I...
Member
Liam Fox
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
457 c621-3
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The hon. Gentleman has the merit of consistency and he speaks regularly on this issue and challenges me in exactly the same way. I respond to him, I hope, consistently by saying that there is no comparison between what we—the world, by and large—are seeking to do in Afghanistan and...
The hon. Gentleman has the merit of consistency and he speaks regularly on this issue and challenges me in exactly the same way. I respond to him, I hope, consistently by saying that there is no comparison between what we—the world, by and large—are seeking to do in Afghanistan and...
Member
Lord Browne of Ladyton
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
457 c627-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating the Statement and for the extensive responses to the questions and points made from the Opposition Benches. I do not think that it is any surprise that there has been this need for further deployment of front-line troops into Helmand province. General...
My Lords, I thank the Minister for repeating the Statement and for the extensive responses to the questions and points made from the Opposition Benches. I do not think that it is any surprise that there has been this need for further deployment of front-line troops into Helmand province. General...
Member
Lord Craig of Radley
(Crossbench)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
689 c1386
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, certain nations still exercise caveats as the noble Lord described. We are pressing our NATO partners to have close alignment of rules of engagement for NATO commanders for the obvious reasons that we have discussed in this House. The noble Lord reiterated the recognition of the Canadians’ performance....
My Lords, certain nations still exercise caveats as the noble Lord described. We are pressing our NATO partners to have close alignment of rules of engagement for NATO commanders for the obvious reasons that we have discussed in this House. The noble Lord reiterated the recognition of the Canadians’ performance....
Member
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
689 c1389
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, as we have said from the very beginning, its purpose is to support the transition of that country to become a stable and democratic state where its people feel free of the mixture of terrible wars, the narcotics trade, which has infiltrated the country, and the decades of...
My Lords, as we have said from the very beginning, its purpose is to support the transition of that country to become a stable and democratic state where its people feel free of the mixture of terrible wars, the narcotics trade, which has infiltrated the country, and the decades of...
Member
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
689 c1390
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, what is being done about closing the border crossings, which are being used by the Taliban to get here and there and escape? Is that a matter for the Afghan Government? Can we do anything about it? What is the position?
My Lords, what is being done about closing the border crossings, which are being used by the Taliban to get here and there and escape? Is that a matter for the Afghan Government? Can we do anything about it? What is the position?
Member
Lord Campbell of Alloway
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
689 c1390
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, that is a very important point, but we need to recognise the geographic challenges in the nature of the territory and the borders. It is very difficult to police those areas. It is the responsibility of the Afghan Government supported by the Afghan forces, with the coalition partners...
My Lords, that is a very important point, but we need to recognise the geographic challenges in the nature of the territory and the borders. It is very difficult to police those areas. It is the responsibility of the Afghan Government supported by the Afghan forces, with the coalition partners...
Member
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
689 c1390
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, can the Minister now respond to the request of my noble friend for reassurance that there will be no reduction in the budget for the vital job of training Apache pilots?
My Lords, can the Minister now respond to the request of my noble friend for reassurance that there will be no reduction in the budget for the vital job of training Apache pilots?
Member
Lord Luke
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Peacekeeping operations; Security; Afghanistan; NATO; Taliban
Date
26 February 2007
Reference
689 c1390
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords