Assembly backs Blair's military action

The assembly debated the merits of military action

Welsh Assembly Members have voted to support the government's policy on military action in Afghanistan.

The majority of AMs pledged their backing to the UK government's intervention, following repeated calls for a full debate.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, AMs were given the chance to register their support or dissent over the bombings in the assembly chamber.

War victims: Scenes like these have focused the minds of AMs

The most vehement opponent to military action was Preseli AM Richard Edwards, who said the West must seriously question whether "military onslaught by the richest country on the planet on just about the poorest will really rid the world of terrorism".

But Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates said his party continued to support the millitary campaign in Afghanistan.

He told members "there is no other option" and added that Osama Bin Laden "fosters terrorism in the face of global decency".

Mr Bates added: "There is no moral equivalent between the acts of 11 September and the current campaign in Afghanistan."

He said that it should be accepted that any military action ran the risk of civilian casualities, but that every possible step should be taken to maximise humanitarian relief.

Conservative Glyn Davies AM said it was right for the Welsh Assembly to debate the international situation and to concern itself with the wider issues that effect Wales.

Richard Edwards AM: 'Self-righteous rhetoric'

He said: "We are facing religious fundamentalism. President Bush was right to declare war on the terrorists of the world...and the Prime Minister of Britain was right to support the President.

"I've never much cared for Tony Blair, thinking him to be shallow and unprincipled, but when the chips were down on 11 September, he did what I'd expect the Prime Minister of Britain to do. He looked down a barrel of a gun and he stood firm."

Television scenes of starving Afghanistan families and children coralled into overcrowded refugee camps have focused the minds of Welsh politicans, who were concerned at the progress of the war on terrorism.

I think that innocent lives whether they are lost in New York, Washington or in Afghanistan are innocent lives

Richard Edwards AM

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Richard Edwards said: "I am not a pacifist but I do strongly believe that the current military action is not justified.

"I think that innocent lives whether they are lost in New York, Washington or in Afghanistan are innocent lives."

The prime minister's spokesman, Alastair Campbell, confirmed the government has no intention of stifling debate on the issue even if the views expressed are contrary to government policy.

Bombing campaign

The call for a temporary halt to the bombing campaign has been led by Plaid Cymru.

The party's Policy Director Cynog Dafis AM said: "It is a matter of party political policy, there is no avoiding that but in certain circumstances it is very important to allow and to enable individuals within different parties with different views to express them."

With the exception of Plaid Cymru, the consensus among party leaders is to endorse the government's action in support of the coalition against terrorism.

It is still unclear whether the Labour party will impose a three line whip on its members for the debate or allow members to vote on conscience.