BRITISH TROOPS TO BE IN AFGHANISTAN FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS

British troops will have to fight the Taleban for another five years, according to a leaked draft of the communiqué that will conclude the London conference on Afghanistan this week.  Participating governments are also expected to agree to bribes totalling hundreds of millions of pounds which will be paid to leading insurgents in the hope that they will stop fighting.

I understand that we are in Afghanistan as a first line of defense against MUSLIM EXTREMISTS.  But it seems to me that we and the Americans are participating more than other countries.

We spent £35 BILLION on defense every year.  That is nearly £700 for every man, woman and child in the UK.  Now the LABOUR AND TORY parties want to spend a further capital cost of £70BILLION on a new trident system, which we can't build without American parts and we can't fire in unless the American President gives us permission.  Is it only me that FINDS THAT A BIT PROFLIGATE?

Going back to Afghanistan, what happened to the EU army we heard so much about?  Where are the other NATO troops, like the ones from Germany who can't fight at night or the Italians who don't think those 'CAMOFLAGE FATIGUES' are suited to the Italian Male's style?  How much are the oil rich states like Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. chipping in to the fund.  I'll bet you'll find it won't be a lot.

  WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT OF THIS COUNTRY ACT ON THE WORLD STAGE AS IF WE STILL MATTER?