'Let the soldiers' work begin'

British soldiers will work alongside those of other nations

The Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, has announced plans to deploy a British-led peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. General Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley, former commander-in-chief of Nato forces in northern Europe, analyses what the future might hold.

A new phase approaches in Afghan affairs.

As ever in this struggle to date, every successive change has prompted the soothsayers and newscasters to predict miscarriage in its wake, if not outright disaster, despite the almost unbroken line of political and military success, stage by stage, enjoyed by the external and internal alliances pursuing Osama Bin Laden, al-Qaeda and the Taleban.

Such is the current reaction.

Winter is setting in. Deaths among the Afghan people due to exposure and starvation are mounting because supplies of food and shelter are not entering the country in the quantities requited.

Political gossip continues to suggest that the new national government of Afghanistan is riven still by the longstanding disagreements of its various members in the coalition.

'Taleban menace'

Bands of Taleban warriors continue to menace roads and outlying settlements.

Bin Laden is still at large with other survivors sufficient perhaps to regroup the al-Qaeda.

Propagandists and dupes suggest that Afghanistan is about to lose its independence to control by foreign troops.

Some of this is true, some highly questionable.

The government in Kabul is persuaded that it has to hold together if it is to receive the money and technical assistance essential to the resuscitation of its land and people.

To distribute the urgent need for food and shelter, stability and communications are needed.

'Partners, not masters'

The Afghan Government recognises that a few thousand foreign troops will not behave as colonial masters bur rather as partners, trained and organised for the work.

Without a network of communications the reversal of banditry will not be accomplished.

Yes, many problems remain but the partnership on the ground between Afghans and their external allies offers the best chance to carry through the first phase of the recovery programme.

Some critics in London say British forces should not be sent because that will put them into danger.

Questions are being asked to discourage their use.

For example, what will the rules be to regulate the opening of fire on, say, those who appear to be bandits or members of the Taleban?

Time limit?

How long will British troops be deployed in Afghanistan?

When will happen if the Kabul Government¿s disparate membership collapses?

No doubt, such matters must be decided upon before any external troops enter Afghanistan.

But this is nothing new.

They were satisfied for intervention in the Balkan operation.

They will include consideration of the worst case: what happens if the Afghan leaders revert to rival fiefdoms?

At risk

Surely this underlines that our men will be at risk at one time or another?

It does but if British soldiers are never to be exposed to risk one wonders how their recruitment and training will be justified.

Successive British Governments are proud to remind their allies that their professional forces are among the best in the world, not least the most versatile in role.

Surely we are not moving to the abandonment of that condition.

The saving of life during the winter if thousands among the Afghan people depends on the use of British and other allied soldiers.

Let their work begin.