William Hague: We will stand by Afghans as they build a future

I PAY tribute to the great courage and professionalism of our Armed Forces in Afghanistan. More than 440 British service personnel have lost their lives there since 2001.

We will never forget the sacrifice they and their families have made to protect our nation’s security, or the efforts of the civilian staff, who have also served bravely in Afghanistan over the past decade.

The Government’s objective and strategy in Afghanistan are unchanged. We seek an Afghanistan that can maintain its own security and that is not a safe haven for international terrorists. That requires us to help the Afghan government to increase the capability of their national security forces, to make progress towards a sustainable political settlement, and to build a viable Afghan state. Although formidable challenges remain, there is progress to report on all three of those fronts.

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First, significant progress is being made in building up the capability of the Afghan security forces. In the past tree months, insurgent activity in Afghanistan has followed the historical cycle of winter seasons, with a reduced level of violence nationwide. High-profile attacks have been limited over the period.

Afghan security forces are now leading 80 per cent of all security operations, and are due to take lead responsibility for combat operations by this summer, with ISAF taking an advisory role. More than three quarters of ISAF bases have been closed or transferred to the Afghan government, and the ANSF is on track to assume full responsibility for security by the end of 2014.

That progress is allowing the gradual redeployment of UK military forces and equipment. The Prime Minister announced in December that our military presence will be reduced by nearly half this year, and that the UK, along with our allies, will move steadily towards a supporting role.

The role of UK personnel is changing from a combat role to training and advising the Afghan security forces. In the short term, UK personnel will continue to support Afghan operations through casualty evacuation, air support and the provision of surveillance capabilities while working to help the Afghans to develop their own suitable capabilities. In addition, UK personnel provide the infrastructure necessary to work in Afghanistan, including food, medical care, welfare and transportation.

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The ANSF currently has more than 330,000 personnel and is progressing towards a final number of 352,000. As those forces become more capable, our mentoring has switched from company to battalion level, and by the end of this year, our forces will no longer need to mentor them below brigade level. The vast majority of training is also now led by the Afghans themselves. Of course, our task is still a difficult one. The Taliban will continue to seek to undermine popular confidence in the Afghan authorities, and as Afghan forces assume the lead in combat operations, they are likely to become the focus of Taliban attacks.

Moreover, the formation of professional armed forces takes time. The UK is therefore proud to take the lead in building up the new Afghan national army officer academy which will develop the next generation of Afghan military leaders.

Secondly, we continue to help drive progress towards a sustainable political settlement and efforts by the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to strengthen their relationship. In February, the Prime Minister hosted a summit at Chequers with President Karzai of Afghanistan and President Zardari of Pakistan.

That was the third in a series of trilateral meetings hosted by the Prime Minister in the past year. The aim was to assist the Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process, and strengthen joint Afghan and Pakistani efforts to address extremism, and to advance regional peace and stability.

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The summit led to an agreement on co-operation between military and security services, and strengthened co-ordination of Taliban prisoner releases from Pakistani custody.

Thirdly, we continue to work to help strengthen Afghanistan’s democratic institutions. In just over a year’s time, on April 5, 2014, the Afghan people will begin voting in the third presidential elections since the fall of the Taliban. Elections to the provincial councils will take place on the same day. These elections must be credible, inclusive and transparent.

Economic growth is also vital if Afghanistan is to become a stable and secure state that is not dependent on foreign aid.

I wish to emphasise that it is critical that Afghanistan takes the necessary steps to ensure women are able to play their full role in society and developing the economy. The Foreign Office continually lobbies the Afghan government on human rights issues.

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UK aid funding has already helped to ensure that 5.9 million Afghan children are regularly attending school, including 2.3 million girls. That compares to virtually none under the Taliban. Our aid money is also being used to recruit and train teachers, build and maintain schools, and increase the availability and quality of education.

The end of the ISAF mission next year does not mean an end to the support provided by the international community. Planning continues for the Nato-led follow-on mission that will help to train and advise the Afghan security forces after combat missions draw to a close. The UK will continue to support governance and development in Afghanistan through the next decade – with £178m per year agreed until 2017 – helping to ensure that the progress made to date is not lost. That is in addition to our £70m commitment to sustain the ANSF after 2014.

The path of transition will not be easy. But progress is being made, and we will stand by the people of Afghanistan as they build a more peaceful and secure future.

*William Hague gave this update to Parliament on the Afghanistan withdrawal