Kabul, November 07: Gordon Brown issued a stark warning to the Afghan President Hamid Karzai that Britain will not continue to put its forces “in harm’s way” in his country unless he is prepared to root out corruption.
The Prime Minister sought to combat growing hostility among the British public to the mission in Afghanistan by making clear the operation depended on a new approach from the newly re-elected President Karzai. He warned him he would lose the right to the international community’s support unless he made progress towards meeting five tests on governance, security, reconciliation, economic development and relations with Pakistan.
However, the Tories accused Mr Brown of sending “mixed messages” because he insisted Britain would not “walk away” while hinting that its troops would be pulled back or withdrawn unless the tests are met. Downing Street denied that the Prime Minister was contemplating defeat in Afghanistan or threatening a troop withdrawal. A more likely scenario is withdrawing support for President Karzai.
–Agencies