South Asia News
Biden says more US and British soldiers will die in Afghan conflict
Jul 23, 2009, 7:40 GMT
London - More loss of life in the Afghanistan conflict is inevitable, but the effort undertaken in the fight against Taliban forces is worthwhile, US Vice-President Joe Biden said Thursday.
The war in Afghanistan is 'in the national interest' of the US and Britain, Biden said in a BBC interview. He warned that terror groups based on the border with Pakistan could 'wreak havoc' on Europe and the US.
'In terms of national interest of Great Britain, the US and Europe, [the war in Afghanistan] is worth the effort we are making and the sacrifice that is being felt,' said Biden, who is currently on a European tour.
'This is the place from which the attacks of 9/11 and all those attacks in Europe from al-Qaeda have flowed - from Afghanistan and Pakistan,' he added.
Asked about the high number of casualties among US and British forces in the fighting in Helmand province, Biden said: 'There are more to come.'
Biden was full of praise for British troops, calling them 'among the best trained and bravest warriors in the world.'
COMMENT
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Older Talkback
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Given that we are stuck in this godawful place, I could wish for a bit more support from some of our other NATO allies. US, UK, and Canada, as usual stuck in at the sharp end whilst everyone else bravely patrols the bazaars!
We have you doing it for us.
Well, fair enough. You all squealed loudly enough for a US lead in Croatia, and Bosnia, and Kosovo though, didn't you? And lo and behold, who ended up holding the sh*tty end of the stick. The Yanks and Brits as usual. It's about time Continental Europe, with only a few honourable exceptions, started pulling its weight.
Look at the statistics. EU GDP amounted to some $18.4 trillion in 2008. The US figure, in comparison was $14.26 trillion. Yet the US is spending more than twice as much on defence as the Combined EU figure. 5% of GDP last year as opposed to less than 2% in Europe.
US should asked its gang of 4 Japan , s korea and mighty India to send troops to Afghanistan to fight with them. Not just hang around.
Sung,
From your name and the 'Gang of 4' remark, I think you are from China. I am British.
To answer your comment: I think Japan would not send troops. S Korea's attention is on N Korea. Indian troops would not be welcome in Moslem Afghanistan and would anger Pakistan as well.
Why bother in China? If the Taliban return, it could cause problems with moslems in your western provinces. The Uighurs for example. If the Americans win, they are in Afghanistan with no distractions or opposition. If the war goes on, both sides are occupied with each other.
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SP4: and not a peepJul 23rd, 2009 - 16:24:26
...from the libnazi antiwar hypocrites...
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