Government failure to equip our troops

If you have any doubts as to the Government's failure to properly equip our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, I urge you to read this story in The Times yesterday, and reported widely on news outlets. The report, entitled 'Death by a thousand cuts' states the following - in a somewhat chilling manner:

"The coroner was unequivocal. The last four soldiers to be blown up in a Snatch Land Rover in Afghanistan were unlawfully killed. They should not have died, and did so because they were inadequately equipped. By now, this must surprise nobody. It certainly would not have surprised those troops themselves. As the Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner David Masters reminded us yesterday, their commanding officer had requested a different vehicle for the mission, only to be told that none was available.

Corporal Sarah Bryant, Corporal Sean Robert Reeve, Lance Corporal Richard Larkin and Private Paul Stout were killed by a roadside bomb in 2008. Not only were they driving in an inadequate vehicle, but equipment shortages had also led them to be equally inadequately trained in the detection of exactly the kind of bomb that killed them. To be more specific, a lack of mine-detectors meant that many troops left the UK with no training in their use whatsoever. Once on their bases in Afghanistan, they were forced to seek informal instruction from their peers. Some troops gave evidence that their training with an Ebex mine detector had lasted under 20 minutes. Others said they had been forced to figure it out for themselves, with a manual.

Gordon Brown could not have been surprised by the coroner’s verdict on Snatch Land Rovers, either. In Afghanistan last weekend he announced that 200 new heavier vehicles would finally replace them. This sounded like a better pledge that it was. For one thing, the Conservative Party has claimed that there was an earlier plan for 400 vehicles, and Mr Brown’s announcement represented a reduction. For another, the timing was both suspiciously convenient in terms of the coroner’s inquest, and at least five years too late in terms of the military need."

And this judgement came after Gordon Brown's surprise 'election' visit to Afghanistan last week.

P.S. the response of Bill Rammell is pretty illustrative of what has gone wrong with this Government:

"I accept that the training regime was not as good at that stage as it should have been."

You can read more at this weblink.

P.P.S. You might like to read these two blog postings I have previously written on this subject. HERE and HERE.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Political Props?

Former Prime Minister John Major has accused Gordon Brown of using the army as political props, after the Prime Minister suddenly flew to Afghanistan, a day after speaking to the Iraq Inquiry. Mr Brown's Afghan visit, came at a time when he was under fire from senior Army personnel. A number of senior members of our armed forces have complained that the Government did not equip our troops properly, when sending them to war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2007, in the run-up to the election that never was, Gordon Brown suddenly visited British Troops in Iraq - during the week of the Conservative Party Conference. This effort was seen by many as a party political stunt and roundly condemned at the time. They say that history never repeats itself, yet Mr Brown again, seems determined to exploit our armed forces for party political advantage.

P.S. As I write this, military top brass have made their feelings clear about Mr Brown's failure to equip our troops. You can read about it HERE.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

How Labour sent the troops into Iraq without the correct military equipment

This from The Times today:

"Britain’s top military commander admitted today that soldiers in Iraq were left without life-saving body armour and even proper boots and clothing because Tony Blair delayed authorising the war plans.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup told the Iraq Inquiry the armed forces had been underfunded in the years leading up to the invasion which led to shortages of equipment.

The Ministry of Defence told Downing Street that the military needed six months to prepare for the war but the Prime Minister only gave four months notice, he said".

Whilst the war in Iraq split the country down the middle, especially with the controversy over '45 minutes' and the like, of one thing everyone is united: It was unforgivable to send our serving soldiers into battle, without the correct military equipment. How Tony Blair and Gordon Brown could have done this, is beyond comprehension.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, has told the Iraq inquiry that:

"Quite clearly not everybody who needed it in theatre got it when they needed it and had it [the orders] been two months earlier then those sort of issues, I think, could have been untangled.”

One of the first British casualties in Iraq, Sergeant Steven Roberts, was shot dead three days after being told to give up his body armour because of the shortage".

The tragedy is that many of our armed forces now fighting in Afghanistan, also without the proper equipment that is needed. It seems that this Labour Government learn nothing from their mistakes. Shameful.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

President Karzai shows some signs of retreat

A few days ago, I wrote a post about President Karzai of Afghanistan, who had effectively legalised husbands to rape their wives. Following strong pressure from Nato and President Obama, according to the BBC, the Afghan President has announced he is 'reviewing' the law. Nato Allies, should demand immediate repeal, otherwise forgo assistance to Mr Karzai. Afghanistan must not be allowed to return to the medieval Islamism of the Taliban.

The Taliban Spirit lives on in Afghanistan

One of the most brutal aspects of the extreme Islamism of the Taliban, was the way in which women were subjugated and treated as second class citizens. The West's invasion of Afghanistan was designed not just to deal with Osama Bin Laden, but also to help rid the country of Islamist Totalitarianism and restore a sense of civility to the country.

Now we find that despite a semblance of the mechanics of democracy, the Taliban spirit lives on, even under those who are seen as so called 'moderates'. Today's Guardian and Daily Telegraph explains how President Karzai - in an effort to win votes from Shias, in advance of the forthcoming elections - has signed into law, legislation which, in effect, allows husbands to rape their wives If this barbarism were not bad enough, the new law also refuses wives the right to work, to see a Doctor, or leave the house without their husband's permission. The United Nations has condemned the new laws, demanding to see the full legislation - which thus far they have been denied.

Whilst I was a full supporter of the war against the Taliban and Al Qaeda (and remain so) - who couldn't be after 9-11- I can't help feeling that something, somewhere, has gone deeply wrong. What is also going on in Afghanistan today, is also an important reminder, that freedom does not just mean holding democratic elections. It has has to be about upholding the rule of law guaranteeing property rights, and above all treating all human beings equally and with dignity. President Karzai has failed this simple test of genuine liberty.