Supplementary memorandum from the Ministry
of Defence
ANSWERS TO
FOLLOW-UP
QUESTIONS FROM
EVIDENCE SESSION
ON 20 MARCH
2007
Q. A comprehensive list of the completed,
current, and planned development projects in Helmand and its neighbouring
provinces. The list should comprise projects sponsored by the
UK and other countries and include detail of the nature, location
and the cost of each project (Q 62 and Q 63)
A. Attached at Annex A.
Q. An update on the deployment of Mastiff
and Vector vehicles to Afghanistan. (Q 84)
A. The first Mastiff and Vector vehicles
have already been delivered to Afghanistan. We do not specify
exact numbers for reasons of operational security. We will continue
to deliver Mastiff and Vector vehicles to Afghanistan over the
coming months; we are working as quickly as possible alongside
industry to integrate additional protection, electronic counter
measures equipment, communications equipment and self defence
weapons to these vehicles.
Q. To what extent did ISAF IX (the ARRC),
led by General Richards, achieve its objectives?
A. Under the command of the ARRC, ISAF unified
the military mission in Afghanistan, broadening its operations
to encompass the whole of the country thereby extending the authority
of the Government of Afghanistan into areas which had previously
had little contact with the GoA. Large scale operations such as
Op MEDUSA delivered a series of defeats to the Taliban and demonstrated
that in the face of ISAF action, the Taliban are unable to succeed.
Substantial progress on reconstruction and development was also
made particularly in the more stable areas of the country. Clearly
there is still much to do but ISAF IX achieved a great deal.
Q. What lessons have been learned from ISAF
IX?
A. While the central tenets of our original
plan remain sound, we have had to modify some of our assumptions
in the context of a better understanding of an unfamiliar operating
environment and the culture and customs of the population who
reside there. The ferocity of the Taliban's resistance and their
willingness to confront ISAF forces despite massive losses was
not expected. This constrained reconstruction and development
initially. Furthermore we encountered some initial teething problems
in PRT operations. We have also had to come to terms with the
pace of Afghan life and politics, which can at times be glacial.
Nevertheless, the issues that we identified in the Helmand Review
have been addressed and we are confident that we will continue
to build on the substantial progress that is being made in the
province. Afghanistan is undoubtedly in a more advanced state
than when we first went South last year.
Q. What contribution is the UK making to
ISAF X Headquarters?
A. The UK is filling 136 posts (of 1,108)
in the ISAF HQ including the 2 Star Deputy Commander Stability.
Q. How has continuity between the ISAF IX
and ISAF X missions been achieved?
A. The mission remains the same. General
McNeil shares General Richards' comprehensive approach to development
in Afghanistan and is continuing the work of Op OQAB (EAGLE) but
he will rightly wish to apply his own interpretation to the challenges
posed. Furthermore, all key personnel in the ISAF X headquarters
have undergone training exercises related to their deployment
at the NATO Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger where they will
have become fully acquainted with the issues arising in ISAF IX.
Q. Which civilian aid agencies are currently
working in Helmand and its neighbouring provinces?
A. Attached at Annex A
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