Reply (read: BS!) from my mp, Margot James, when I wrote and asked her what her views were about the illegal wars uk is involved in - if someone can put me straight as to how/why the UN could sanction the war on iraq, I would be very grateful. I wish to give her a well-informed reply!! "Dear Ms Rota, Thank you for your email. I take a different view and believe that entering Afghanistan was in our national interest for security reasons. I do however regret the invasion of Iraq but it was not an illegal war, if you recall the invasion of Iraq was authorised by a UN mandate. The atrocities of 11 September 2001 were planned in Afghanistan and, if we want to protect our country against the threat of further terrorist attacks, the thinking was that we could not allow Afghanistan to remain a safe haven for Al Qaeda. I would note that, as the Prime Minister has made clear, British forces will no longer be in a combat role or in significant numbers in Afghanistan by the end of 2014. The real progress that is being made on the ground in Helmand province will allow us, on current planning, to reduce British troops from 9,000 at the end of 2012 to around 5,200 by the end of 2013. I am pleased about this and two years ago I did not support a motion on the Afghanistan operation because I felt it left our commitment too open ended. The loss of life is desperately sad for the families and soldiers involved, and my thoughts remain with them. I am also pleased that our forces remained in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, helping to rebuild their societies. By way of example, the UK’s £7.1 million assistance to the Afghan Ministry of Interior includes a strong focus on developing Afghan policy on promoting human rights in the security sector and protecting women from violence. Thank you again for getting in touch. Best wishes, Margot James
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:34:23 +0000
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