John
07-18-2010, 08:23 AM
A secret document mapping out a blueprint for the withdrawal of coalition forces says British troops are to pull out of Afghanistan by 2014, according to reports.
President Hamid Karzai will announce a timetable for a "conditions-based and phased transition" at an international conference in Kabul on Tuesday, the leaked communique says.
The document, seen by The Independent on Sunday, reportedly states the withdrawal of Nato troops is to begin within months, with the Afghan National Security Forces taking control of military operations by the end of 2014.
The disclosure comes after Foreign Secretary William Hague hinted at British troops withdrawing by 2014 but stressed that the Government was not "setting a timetable for what happens over the next few years".
Mr Hague will attend the conference with foreign ministers from more than 70 countries, alongside US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was aware of the document but refused to comment on its details.
It comes as the Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of a fourth British soldier, from The Royal Logistic Corps, in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Britain is to boost spending on aid projects in Afghanistan by 40% in a bid to speed the withdrawal of troops.
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell will declare on Monday that securing progress in the turbulent nation is his "number one priority".
Afghanistan will be the main beneficiary of an ongoing review of where UK taxpayers' cash is spent abroad - with payments to dozens of countries set to be reduced or axed.
International development is one of only two Whitehall budgets - along with health - to be protected from spending cuts being imposed by the Treasury.
But, with opinion polls showing most voters want aid slashed before domestic spending, Mr Mitchell is under pressure to justify the protection given to the department.
The extra cash will be focused on stabilising 80 key districts, bolstering the Afghan economy and "getting the government to a place where it can meet the basic needs of its people".
Mr Mitchell also wants to boost education, with an aim of getting six million children into school within two years and tens of thousands of Afghans into vocational training.
President Hamid Karzai will announce a timetable for a "conditions-based and phased transition" at an international conference in Kabul on Tuesday, the leaked communique says.
The document, seen by The Independent on Sunday, reportedly states the withdrawal of Nato troops is to begin within months, with the Afghan National Security Forces taking control of military operations by the end of 2014.
The disclosure comes after Foreign Secretary William Hague hinted at British troops withdrawing by 2014 but stressed that the Government was not "setting a timetable for what happens over the next few years".
Mr Hague will attend the conference with foreign ministers from more than 70 countries, alongside US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was aware of the document but refused to comment on its details.
It comes as the Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of a fourth British soldier, from The Royal Logistic Corps, in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Britain is to boost spending on aid projects in Afghanistan by 40% in a bid to speed the withdrawal of troops.
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell will declare on Monday that securing progress in the turbulent nation is his "number one priority".
Afghanistan will be the main beneficiary of an ongoing review of where UK taxpayers' cash is spent abroad - with payments to dozens of countries set to be reduced or axed.
International development is one of only two Whitehall budgets - along with health - to be protected from spending cuts being imposed by the Treasury.
But, with opinion polls showing most voters want aid slashed before domestic spending, Mr Mitchell is under pressure to justify the protection given to the department.
The extra cash will be focused on stabilising 80 key districts, bolstering the Afghan economy and "getting the government to a place where it can meet the basic needs of its people".
Mr Mitchell also wants to boost education, with an aim of getting six million children into school within two years and tens of thousands of Afghans into vocational training.