Afghanistan: Des Browne spinning for Britain

As we have learnt to expect from our many lessons during the Iraq adventure - where the population were going to welcome us with open arms after we invaded their country for no lawful reason - this government cannot but lie as things go badly wrong once more.

Des Browne told a 3/4 empty House of Commons yesterday - and the two men and a dog who were watching Parliament TV - that emergency reinforcements were being sent to Iraq not because of piss-poor-planning and the deaths of six British troops in just a few weeks - but because British commanders moved faster towards achieving our ultimate objectives than anyone had expected. At this rate they'll be home for Christmas.

Hansard - 10 July 2006 : Column 1132:

Let me now explain why we need to adjust and strengthen our force structure in Helmand. The original intent was to tackle the challenges incrementally, spreading security and reconstruction from the centre of Helmand out. But the commanders on the ground grasped an early opportunity. They saw the chance to reinforce the position of the local governor and the Afghan army and police by going into northern Helmand and challenging the impunity of the Taliban there. In doing that, we moved faster towards achieving our ultimate objectives but also extended ourselves.

We must respond to that development. But it is our actions - our decisions and our determination to grasp the challenge - that have brought about the development, and not, as some suggest, a failure to anticipate a violent response to our arrival. Yes, the violence has increased, but that was inevitable. We are challenging the power of the Taliban and other enemies of the Afghan Government, and they are reacting. But despite their efforts, we are spreading security.

Our commanders have asked for additional forces to secure the early advances in the more remote communities in the north, while also enabling more progress to be made in central Helmand.