John Hutton reiterates the case for Afghanistan operation

Mr Hutton was speaking on Tuesday 11 November 2008 - the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day - at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, where he said that as Defence Secretary he felt a unique responsibility for the extraordinary young men and women of our Armed Forces, particularly when so much is expected of them:

"So my most important responsibility is to ensure that when I ask them to serve, they know that their mission is clear. Unambiguous. Understood and supported by British people," he said.

Mr Hutton said the deployment of our Armed Forces to Afghanistan was in response to an attack on our national interests every bit as unambiguous as the threat presented by the invasion of Belgium in 1914 and the invasion of Poland in 1939:

"9/11, lest we ever forget, was a crime by Al Qaida against the entire civilised world. It was the largest and most spectacular in a series of attacks from embassies to night clubs, from Kenya to Bali and a worldwide campaign of terror."

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The Defence Secretary said that as a base for Al-Qaida with the Taliban's sanctuary and assistance, in 2001 Afghanistan had been the most important source of the direct threat to the UK and the civilised world, adding:

"We undertook military action in Afghanistan because this was the base from which Al Qaida leaders, through the sanctuary offered by the Taliban, were planning and directing major terrorist operations throughout the world - operations that would, without any doubt at all in my mind, have been aimed at the UK."

Mr Hutton went on to state that after the toppling of the Taliban, the UK's decision to stay in Afghanistan was based on our clear national security interest:

"The same calculations informed our later decisions to make a significant military contribution to the International Security and Assistance Force, and then to play a lead role in NATO's operations in the south, especially in Helmand Province.

"If we hadn't gone into Southern Afghanistan in 2006 the Taliban would probably now control Southern Helmand and Kandahar. There are many students of history in this room today who would tell us that those who control Kandahar have often controlled Kabul. Which would give free reign to Al Qaida through Afghanistan. Pre 9/11 all over again.

"So I am absolutely clear that our commitment to Afghanistan is first and foremost about the UK's national security."

He stressed that 2008 has been a tough year for coalition forces and that the coming 12 months were likely to be equally as tough, testing the resolve of the international community:

"There has been I believe real progress since 2001 but I would be the first to recognise that Afghanistan's system of governance remains fragile; economic growth disappointing; Taliban insurgency in the east and south continues to pose a real challenge; and the dangerous link between terrorism, organised crime and narcotics remains real and obvious."

Mr Hutton he said that three strategic objectives have been set:  That Al Qaida does not return to Afghanistan; That Afghanistan remains a legitimate and increasingly effective state, able over time to handle its own security; and, to prevent the insurgency posing a threat to Afghan peace and prosperity.

"Achieving these three objectives will define the success of achieving our mission in Afghanistan,"  he said, adding  "For me, the national security arguments that took us to Afghanistan are stronger today than they were in 2001.

"If walking away then would have damaged those interests, scuttling away now would deal them a profoundly dangerous blow.

"In my view our engagement is as much a security priority for the UK today as the world wars or the cold war of the last century. Terrorism poses a direct threat to the security of the British people. So, let us not for one moment think that it does not threaten our way of life, our values of democracy and human rights."

To succeed in Afghanistan, Mr Hutton said, patience would be needed:

"We are pursuing an approach which combines military operations with civilian stabilisation activities. Increasingly this will make the space for longer term development work to help Afghans secure and govern their own communities according to their own priorities.

"The Taliban know that they cannot defeat us tactically or strategically. All they can offer are more acts of indiscriminate violence in the hope that we lose the will to stay the course. We won't."

Critical to success, he asserted was helping the Afghans take responsibility for their own security:

"This is the coalition's military mission. And this is what will ultimately define the nature of military success. And here we are making significant progress. The Afghan National Army are taking part in the majority now of all military operations. In Helmand, ANA battalions are able to take the lead on operations and have scored a number of very significant successes."

Mr Hutton finished his speech paying tribute to the men and women of the British Armed Forces:

"After our third summer in Helmand down the south, we are still learning how to operate and realise our objectives. That is the nature of any prolonged and complex campaign…

"Even after a single visit I am confident that we are putting in place the people and capabilities that can lead to success. Provided we have the strategic patience shown by past generations, I believe we can succeed.

"What our 8,000 soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen and women are doing in Helmand and across the south is invaluable, both tactically as well as strategically.

"The First and Second World Wars were the defining conflicts of the last century. It may be that Afghanistan will be the defining conflict of this century. It does strike to the heart of our interests as a nation. And the preservation of the values that all of us today hold most dear.

"A very heavy price has already been borne in Afghanistan, where 122 men and women of the British Armed Forces have died in the service of their country, defending these fundamental freedoms.

"Their personal bravery and courage, I believe, is in every way equal to the sacrifice of those who came before them. So is the burden carried today by their families. I am acutely aware of that, never more so than during Remembrance Day. Thank you."