Back from Afghanistan
MP Sandra Osborne has just returned from Afghanistan which she visited in her role as a member of the Defence Select Committee looking into the UK Government’s policy on operations there.
Sandra said
“What an honour it was to meet with our forces in the most dangerous part of Helmand Province – forces from 2nd Scots and the Irish Regiment. While the situation remains dangerous real progress is being made.
At Camp Bastion we saw the work being done to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) including the use of sophisticated technology and highly trained dogs. But at the end of the day the soldiers who put their lives at risk seeking out and defusing these devices are saving the lives of their comrades and innocent civilians. We can never repay them for their sacrifice.
The present Governor of Helmand Province, Gulab Mangal, is a very committed and dedicated person who daily challenges not only the Taliban but corruption, and works tirelessly to bring good governance and decent services to the area. In so doing he faces repeated death threats.
President Hamid Karzai on the other hand has been a disappointment dealing in patronage and trying his best to frustrate the opening of the new Parliament following the elections which were held last September. He has now been pressured by the elected MPs supported by the international community to give in and eventually presided over its inauguration. His desire to delay and delay was, frankly, mainly for his own reasons.
It was a pleasure for me to meet with some of the women ministers in the Afghan Government while I was there. They are trying to improve the lives of women and children who have suffered greatly both under the Taliban and still today. I will be giving them all the support I can.
It was also reassuring to witness the training of the Afghan National Army and the Police. The Army is making real progress and often executes action independently of the UK Forces but the Police have some way to go if they are to be ready for the withdrawal of our combat forces by 2015.”
ends
MP Sandra Osborne has just returned from Afghanistan which she visited in her role as a member of the Defence Select Committee looking into the UK Government’s policy on operations there.
Sandra said
“What an honour it was to meet with our forces in the most dangerous part of Helmand Province – forces from 2nd Scots and the Irish Regiment. While the situation remains dangerous real progress is being made.
At Camp Bastion we saw the work being done to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) including the use of sophisticated technology and highly trained dogs. But at the end of the day the soldiers who put their lives at risk seeking out and defusing these devices are saving the lives of their comrades and innocent civilians. We can never repay them for their sacrifice.
The present Governor of Helmand Province, Gulab Mangal, is a very committed and dedicated person who daily challenges not only the Taliban but corruption, and works tirelessly to bring good governance and decent services to the area. In so doing he faces repeated death threats.
President Hamid Karzai on the other hand has been a disappointment dealing in patronage and trying his best to frustrate the opening of the new Parliament following the elections which were held last September. He has now been pressured by the elected MPs supported by the international community to give in and eventually presided over its inauguration. His desire to delay and delay was, frankly, mainly for his own reasons.
It was a pleasure for me to meet with some of the women ministers in the Afghan Government while I was there. They are trying to improve the lives of women and children who have suffered greatly both under the Taliban and still today. I will be giving them all the support I can.
It was also reassuring to witness the training of the Afghan National Army and the Police. The Army is making real progress and often executes action independently of the UK Forces but the Police have some way to go if they are to be ready for the withdrawal of our combat forces by 2015.”
ends