Afghan President, UK Premier Praise Recapture of Musa Qala

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told a joint news conference in Kabul with President Hamed Karzai on the day that the recapture of the town of Musa Qala in Helmand Province from the Taleban was announced that the operation had been led by Afghan forces, supported by US and British forces. He also pledged that once the Taleban are driven out of the area, Britain will help the Afghan government implement economic and development projects there. The following is an excerpt from the news conference, broadcast live on National Afghanistan television on 10 December; subheadings inserted editorially:

[Karzai, in Pashto] In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Dear press workers, welcome. I am very glad that the British Prime Minister, His Excellency Gordon Brown is visiting Afghanistan today. This is his second visit to Afghanistan. On his previous visit, he travelled directly to Helmand Province. This time too, he came to Afghanistan and went to Helmand and visited his country’s troops there. Then he came back to Kabul. I wholeheartedly welcome him.

Karzai praises help from Britain

In the past six years, the government of Britain has offered very generous cooperation to the government of Afghanistan.

Britain has sent troops to Afghanistan, donated money, offered political cooperation and offered comprehensive cooperation in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Britain is one of the few governments that offers direct assistance to the government of Afghanistan. The British donation is directly channelled through Afghan government departments. It is spent directly by the Finance Ministry of Afghanistan. We thank them very much. They are in the front rank of those assisting Afghanistan. They have donated hundreds of millions of pounds to Afghanistan and sent soldiers to the country. Their sons are here and are ready to give sacrifices for us. I once again welcome him. I hope he comes here again. I hope the friendship between Afghanistan and Britain further improves.

Welcome Mr prime minister.

Brown pledges continuing UK support

[Gordon Brown in English, superimposed by Dari translation] President Karzai, ladies and gentlemen. Can I say first of all what a privilege it is to be here in Kabul and meet His Excellency President Hamed Karzai and his cabinet ministers. It is a great pleasure to visit Afghanistan. The achievements and developments that Afghanistan has had in different social fields are admirable.

Afghanistan is in a very sensitive situation and is engaged in the war on terror. I also visited our troops here and came here to reiterate the continuation of our support to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The presence of our troops, along with other international troops, in Afghanistan, is aimed at supporting Afghanistan. They are doing a good job strengthening democracy in the country. We are also committed to helping economic growth and strengthening the health and education sectors in Afghanistan.

I would like to assure Mr Karzai that we will definitely continue our cooperation with Afghanistan in the coming years in the fields of security and economic development in this country so the people can be hopeful for a better future.

Retaking of Musa Qala led by Afghans, supported by US, UK

Our troops are working together with Afghan forces in Musa Qala District and are fighting the enemies. They are doing all in their power to drive the Taleban out of the district. We are working together to make a difference.

This is an action involving American, British, and Afghan forces and we are trying to help the Afghan forces take the lead in operations. Once we drive the Taleban out of the area, we will be ready to deliver economic and development projects with the help of the government of Afghanistan. I hope we can launch development and economic projects in Musa Qala immediately after the operations in that district.

This is a very important mission and we will continue supporting the mission, and the Afghan forces. We fully respect the decisions of the government of Afghanistan in this regard.

Our support will of course continue and be delivered through local authorities of the government of Afghanistan.

We discussed some issues and made some decisions on what we could do to offer further support.

I would like to thank you and the cabinet members of the government of Afghanistan for your hospitality.

Support for Afghan government in Musa Qala

[Karzai, in English] Mr prime minister, would you like to pick the first question?

[Correspondent in English, superimposed by Dari translation] [Name unclear] I am from Sky News. Prime minister, you said you support economic growth and development projects here. After the Taleban leave the area, how do you think you will be able to gain public trust there? You were in Iraq the other day. You spoke about decreasing the number of your troops there. Is the Musa Qala operation the beginning of a retreat in Iraq or the increase in the number of British troops there?

[Gordon Brown, in English with Dari translation] We are trying to engage American troops and other members of the coalition there. We will continue our efforts in the coming days. It is, of course, a decision that should be made by the government of Afghanistan because they are in the leader in all activities there. Our efforts are also in support of the government forces and to the benefit of the locals.

What we reiterate and work on is that the Taleban should be driven out of the areas.

In terms of the number of British forces, we have around 7,800 troops based in the area.

The important point is that what we are doing in Afghanistan is in support of the government of the country. We want to train the Afghan forces so they are capable of coping with the situation.

Musa Qala is an example of how the Afghan forces work in cooperation with British and coalition forces.

There is no doubt that success in Musa Qala is a big sign of capability of the government of Afghanistan after the fall of the Taleban [in the district].

Alleged Pakistani interference in Afghanistan

[Female correspondent in Dari] I am from Waqt News Agency. My question goes to Mr Gordon Brown. British troops are engaged in the battle against insurgents in Helmand Province. It is usually said that the insurgents are equipped from the other side of the border – from Pakistan.

On the other hand, the government of Britain has good relations with the government of Pakistan.

Have you spoken to the government of Pakistan to address this problem? Thank you.

[Gordon Brown, in English superimposed by Dari translation] We have to deal with terrorists through any possible way. What needs to be done will be done in Musa Qala District. The important thing is that we are already in action in Musa Qala. As far as it depends on the region, there is no doubt, and I am sure Mr Karzai agrees with me, that we need regional cooperation, at a high level, to address the problems and to succeed in the war against Al-Qa’idah and the Taleban.

In my meetings with Mr [Pervez] Musharraf, we have discussed these issues. In the recent years, it has been reiterated that regional cooperation should be stepped up to the highest possible way.

[Female correspondent in English superimposed by Dari translation] Mr President, how far do you want to go ahead in talks with the insurgents? [Question not translated fully].

[Karzai, in English superimposed by Dari translation] Madam, we made the decision to go to Musa Qala about two and half months ago. It was the result of a meeting with a local elder of that province.

[Passage omitted: Karzai tells one story of a man who came from Helmand and asked him to liberate the people from the Taleban, another about the Taleban killing and burning a young boy they accused of spying].

[Gordon Brown, in English superimposed by Dari translation] I have no doubt that what we are doing will be successful against the Taleban. We will use all in our power to make sure the Afghan government forces succeed with the help of British troops.

What we want is that we reach our objectives, and the district enjoys economic progress.

Need for more troops to fight terror

[Correspondent, in English with Dari translation] Prime Minister. How long will British troops remain committed to their promises in Afghanistan? My other question goes to the president. Do you expect more troops in Afghanistan?

[Hamed Karzai, in English with Dari translation] We want to have more troops to help us get rid of terrorism. At the same time, we want the international community to continue their support and cooperation in training the Afghan national army, and their cooperation in handing over operations to Afghan-led forces so the Afghan forces can themselves take the responsibility of defending their country.

We undoubtedly need the cooperation and support of the international community in rebuilding Afghanistan’s institutions and training the Afghan national army.

[Gordon Brown] As the president said, we are here to support the Afghan forces so the Afghan police and army can take responsibility and authority in their country. The important thing we have learned in Musa Qala is how we can continue to give the leadership to Afghan government forces. This is what we have learnt and will continue with it.

[Karzai, in Dari] I am sorry, His Excellency the prime minister has to go to another meeting. His helicopter will come and he will then have to fly off immediately.

Mr Hares [from Voice of America], please ask a short question because we are in a hurry.

[Correspondent] My question goes to Mr Gordon Brown. Why was the plan to recapture Musa Qala postponed for 10 months? Why did it have to wait for Mr Gordon Brown to come to Kabul and then British troops take action to recapture the district? Does Mr Brown want to keep control of the area with compromises again? Or, as stated by the US secretary of defence, is there a need for more military operations there and for British troops to do more to control the area –

[Karzai, interrupts in Dari] Keep it short.

[Correspondent continues] – Gordon Brown said he had very good discussions with you. Could you give some details of your discussions in Dari?

[Karzai in Dari] I will do that at the next conference. Now Mr Brown will answer your questions.

[Gordon Brown, in English] Just very quickly. We are taking on the Taleban in all areas. This is our responsibility. We have agreed with the government of Afghanistan on some serious decisions made in Musa Qala district. They are under way. Security forces should receive full support so we can launch economic programmes in the areas [after the area is liberated].

Thank you.

Originally published by National Afghanistan TV, Kabul, in Dari 1245 10 Dec 07.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Newsfile. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.