John Baron MP says Select Committee’s critical report on Afghanistan does not go far enough

Committee MP says Report fails to emphasize two crucial distinctions

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee’s Report “The UK’s foreign policy approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan” was published today. The Committee endorsed the Report 8 – 1, with one abstention. John Baron MP voted against the Report.

 John said:

“I agree with the report’s criticism of our policy but it does not go far enough, and does not emphasise sufficiently two fundamental distinctions which could provide the basis for a solution.”

“There is confusion of purpose. We fail to distinguish between the ‘key objective’ of keeping al-Qaeda out of Afghanistan and the ‘four main goals’ which include a stable and secure Afghanistan. This loss of focus has produced ‘mission creep’ – talk of ‘nation building’ and human rights are two examples.”

“Furthermore, the differences between the Taliban and al-Qaeda must be explored more rigorously. The relationship is complex and not well understood. It is possible that the Taliban would not let al-Qaeda back in to Afghanistan. Instead, the threats from al-Qaeda and the Taliban have become conflated and almost synonymous.”

“These distinctions are important. If we are trying to build a more ‘stable’ Afghanistan, then the struggle against the Taliban must go on. If, however, we are trying to prevent al-Qaeda returning, then this may not be the case. These distinctions emphasize the need to open meaningful talks with the Taliban.”

• Matthew Parris in The Times described John’s Afgho-sceptical speech in the Debate in September 2010 as the finest he’d heard in some time. His speech can be found at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100909/debtext/100909-0003.htm#10090911002141
• In the vote that followed the Debate in September, John was the only Conservative to vote against Britain’s continued policy in Afghanistan – the Government won the vote 310 to 14.