Deaths raise questions over Afghan war

patrick Mercer MP’s article (Yorkshire Post, March 9) states that our troops are required in Afghanistan to aid and develop the Afghans to “handle their own destiny”. He correctly identifies President Obama’s dating the US withdrawal as incomprehensible.

This action is typical of modern-day politicians as they strive to claim prestige from events yet to occur (compare Gordon Brown’s early release of the UK gold sell-off date).

Mr Mercer also claims that the 2005 bombings were “carried out by Yorkshiremen”. Yes – modern day Yorkshiremen – with familial roots and teachings tracking back to Afghan Jihadists.

He states that the lives of our brave soldiers have not been wasted because we are part of a “regional war” stretching from Iran to Russia and nuclear Pakistan.

I’ve never voted for any government to participate in such a war. As a military man, Mr Mercer might (perhaps) like to extend the boundaries of this “war”. Syria, Falklands, Egypt, Malaysia, back to Libya, Congo, Somalia, Angola etc, etc.

Afghanistan has been a politician’s bête noire for many years, from the 18th and 19th century Indian Viceroys to modern day politicians. It has always proved an unforgiving waste of human life and expensive material.

Successive governments have been making big cuts to our fighting forces and equipment whilst continuing to escalate the demands on their expertise. The PBI must make do and mend with often inferior or missing equipment.

Tony Blair opened the country’s gates allowing unfettered access for the misguided proto-terrorists and their adherents. We are now paying the price of this political altruism.

If the country is at war, then put us on a war footing. This should include conscription of all British persons claiming British birthright and benefits to go and serve their country as any true Englishman or Yorkshireman would be proud to do.

We cannot now afford an all-out war. We must defend ourselves, our country and our people.

From: John Gordon, Whitcliffe Lane, Ripon.

the death of six young men in Afghanistan has at last brought home to us the reality of war. We must reconsider the end-game. Can we really influence the life of a tribal society far away in remote villages?

The Russians decided that they couldn’t and they finally stopped fighting and financing a corrupt society that they saw as a threat to their borders. And they were much nearer than we are to Afghanistan.

We see ourselves as a warrior nation because we have held off invaders for so long but surely our present economic situation has shown us that we cannot police the world. If our leaders think we are vulnerable as they keep telling us, we must withdraw and protect ourselves by drawing back into our shells. Politics must leave the world stage and sort out our problems at home.

From: David W Wright, Uppleby, Easingwold.

THE result of the Question of the Day (Yorkshire Post, March 8) “Should British troops be withdrawn from Afghanistan immediately?” giving a clear majority of 77 per cent in favour, must surely indicate to Cameron and the Government the strength of feeling of the public following the tragic deaths of six servicemen.

This conflict cannot continue even though Cameron has promised a limited withdrawal in 2014, for this operation is unwinnable in its present form as the Taliban will simply continue their guerrilla tactics until an all-out war is waged with artillery and bombs, causing death and destruction to everyone.

The only alternative therefore is for an immediate withdrawal and to bring our forces back to the UK where they can defend our borders, airports, seaports and strategic sites and support and strengthen our weak Border Agency. The costs saved by this action would allow greater expenditure on strengthening our armed forces and re-equipping our run down Navy, Army and Air Force to enable the UK to defend and support our own territories and interests – and save lives of our servicemen and women.

From: Roger M Dobson, Ash Street, Crosshills, near Keighley.

WITH the death of six young British soldiers in one explosion this week in Afghanistan, it must have now become apparent to David Cameron that it is now time to pull all our troops out of that country.

If our Prime Minister has a fear of this country becoming overrun with drugs from Afghanistan, then surely our troops newly returned home could be employed to control the problem.

In short, let the Afghans rot in the hell of their own making.

From: RD Leakey, Giggleswick, Settle, North Yorkshire.

REGARDING the constant BBC and other news coverage about the six soldiers killed in Afghanistan and buried in the UK – at the age of 97 I wonder if I am the last surviving soldier who experienced battle in the Burma War and who served in what was then the now redundant Fourth Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment.