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Post by Frenchie on Sept 26, 2009 17:31:51 GMT 1
The resignation of a senior British general has exposed a widening rift between the military leadership and Prime Minister Gordon Brown over how the war in Afghanistan is being fought. Major-General Andrew Mackay, a former brigade commander who oversaw critical operations in Afghanistan, resigned on Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said, asking for the reason behind his decision to remain a private matter. But since returning from Afghanistan in April 2008, he had been critical of the conduct of the conflict, saying the government was not providing the right equipment or support to troops on the ground or delivering a clear strategic direction. A parliamentary report which drew on his opinions concluded that Britain's deployment in southern Afghanistan "was undermined by unrealistic planning at senior levels, poor coordination between (government) departments and, crucially, a failure to provide the military with clear direction." His resignation follows consistent murmurings from senior military staff and some officials in the defence ministry that Britain needs more than its current 9,000 troops if it is to make progress against a strengthening Taliban insurgency. Continued......>
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