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Published: November 7, 2009 3:00 a.m.

Britain-to-Kabul: Mend ways

Gregory Katz
Associated Press
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Also Friday
More than 25 members of international and Afghan security forces were injured in fierce fighting in northwest Afghanistan while carrying out a large-scale manhunt for two missing American soldiers, military officials said.

The two paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, disappeared Wednesday during a routine resupply mission, the military said.

Afghan officials indicated it was unlikely that the two missing Americans had been captured.

LONDON – Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Washington’s closest ally in Afghanistan, toughened his tone Friday with this harsh message for the Afghan leadership: Clean up your act – for real this time – or risk a cutoff of support.

In what 10 Downing Street billed as a major speech, Brown reflected public outrage over troop casualties by threatening to pull back support – and perhaps even additional troops – unless Afghan President Hamid Karzai cracked down on corruption. It was his first challenge since the Afghan leader was declared the winner of an election marred by charges of fraud and ballot-rigging.

“I am not prepared to put the lives of British men and women in harm’s way for a government that does not stand up against corruption,” Brown said.

Brown’s stark warning came as NATO allies in Brussels advised American officials on what policy President Obama should embrace in Afghanistan, where the eight-year campaign against Taliban insurgents has stalled, with rising casualties for Western forces.

European political and military leaders are anxiously waiting for Obama to decide whether to increase troop levels – as sought by the top U.S. and NATO general in Afghanistan – or redefine the goals of the NATO-led mission.

Brown’s challenge to the Afghan government also reflects the pressure he faces as public support for the conflict wanes in light of deaths among the British forces, including the loss this week of seven more soldiers.

Still, he stated that the effort to defeat Taliban insurgents is vital to British security, leading some lawmakers to say his threat to Karzai could not be taken seriously because Britain had no viable option but to stay and fight, regardless of the Karzai government’s compromised position.

Richard Kemp, a retired colonel who was British commander in Afghanistan, believes Obama will soon embrace the advice of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and add 40,000 or more troops to the U.S. contingent.

“I do not believe he has any option,” Kemp said.

The Afghan leader has repeatedly promised to work to clean up his government. Corruption is deeply rooted in Afghanistan, a country awash in drug money, and where bribes are a part of everyday life.

Karzai’s spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said that Afghan and international officials needed to work together to counter corruption.

– Los Angeles Times