31 July 2009 : APP
LONDON, July 31 (APP)-Top British general has called for a review of his country’s defence strategy including equipment procurement for the next decade during which he said Afghanistan and the tribal belt along Pakistan’s western border will remain a significant challenge. Delivering his last public speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Thursday before his retirement next month, General Sir Richard Dannat, Chief of the UK’s Army General Staff, speaking on the topic of ‘The Challenge for Defence in the Next Decade’ said the Review of Defence require considerable debate under the present scenario and shifting regional conflicts.
“I believe we need to look back, to look around, and to look forward, at Britain’s role in the world yesterday, today and tomorrow and also conduct a proper analysis of the character of future conflict and thereby identify the challenges for our country’s overall security.”
General Dannat said since the last strategic defence review of 1997/98, the world has undergone an immense change underpinned by events of 9/11, invasion of Iraq and the conflict in Afghanistan and the danger posed by Al-Qaeda.
He said the events of 9/11 changed dynamic as Britain joined USA and went along with it to Afghanistan with a degree of popular acclaim and then to Iraq, albeit with much soul-searching.
The General described the return to Afghanistan in greater numbers in 2006 as a strategic move to assist USA in the coalition “This was a very reasonable decision at the time, but its strategic and operational consequences proved to be considerable,” he observed.
The British General the slogan of ‘Go Fast, Go First, Go Home’ which seemed to work well in Sierra Leone, East Timor and Macedonia became unstuck by the protracting campaigning in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He called for winning the hearts and minds of the people not just of Iraq and Afghanistan or Pakistan, but also for the people of the United Kingdom, the United States and the West generally.
Sir Richard defended British Army’s operation in the southern Iraq province of Basra and said it achieved a considerable degree of success.
He also noted that the next strategic defence review must be underpinned by a clearly defined view of Britain’s global interests and its future global role.
To deliver success in Afghanistan, the General said, this must be demonstrated by a strengthened and enduring national, political, industrial,cross-Whitehall and departmental commitment on a war-like footing.
