Further supplementary memorandum from
the Ministry of Defence
Detail of the number and role of any Political
Advisers that are attached tothe UK military in Regional Command
(South) (Q329-Q331)
HQ RO South currently has two Political Advisers;
one MOD and one FCO(the latter due in theatre mid-July). There
is also one Stabilisation Adviserfrom the Post Conflict Reconstruction
Unit and one Dutch DevelopmentAdvisor (due in theatre mid-June).
In the PRT in Helmand there is currently one
MOD POLAD supporting the Commander of Task Force Helmand, Brigadier
John Lorimer. The POLAD also works alongside representatives from
the FCO, Df ID and PCRU who fulfil roles in the PRT. Current civilian
staff numbers are judged to be sufficient and the PRT has received
praise from ISAF for the way in which it integrates the civilian
and military effort.
Political Advisers act as personal advisors
to deployed commanders and function as part of the Command Group
in the relevant headquarters. Their role is to support Ministers,
Defence Management Board and Chiefs of Staff in the formulation
of defence policy and the delivery of defence activities overseas
by:
(a) Developing and articulating British Defence
policy and priorities within the broader policy and strategic
context within which Defence operates:
(b) Shaping and managing both defence relations
with other countries and the roles and functions of international
organisations;
(c) Understanding and shaping the context
within which defence activities, including military operations,
are conducted.
In carrying out these tasks civilians have a
responsibility to ensure: coherence with wider governmental policy
and the United Kingdom's international obligations and relations;
and that the resource implications and Ministerial and Departmental
accountability to Parliament, the public and the law are understood
and properly taken into account.
Confirmation of the number of battlegroups reguested
by General Richards. COMISAF. in the 2006 NATO CJSOR for Afghanistan.
The note should identify which of these requests have been met
and identify those requests that are outstanding (Q332-Q336).
Answer provided in a footnote to the transcript
amendments sent on 30 May.
A note on how the Government is assisting President
Musharraf in addressing the problems caused by the radicalisation
of people being educated in Pakistan-based madrassas (Q391)
We recognise the importance of education in
reducing radicalisation among young Muslims and in pursuing regional
stability on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. These
issues are of crucial importance for the UK's interests both at
home and in the region and we are working in concert with the
Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan and other partners toaddress
them. In November 2006, during his visit to Pakistan, the Prime
Minister signed a ten-year development partnership which included
agreeing to double aid to Pakistan to £240 million for the
2008-2011 period meaning that Pakistan will become one of the
biggest recipients of direct UK aid. This will include support
for the development of state education in Pakistan.
We fully support President Musharraf's vision
and policy of Enlightened Moderation, and we are working to improve
dialogue on countering extremism both at govemmental and local
level. This work includes: encouraging madrassa administrators
and govemment officiais to work together to bring more madrassas
and Islamic schoois under state regulation; the creation of a
Pakistani youth TV forum, promoting tolerance and understanding
through a civilised and peaceful expression of opInions; improving
the access of women to justice and sensitising govemment officiais
of their obligation to protect and promote women's rights; and
facilitating visits of young British Muslim delegations to Pakistan
to improve dialogue and understanding between both nations. DfID
is currentiy reviewing how we can best increase our support to
local education, including skis training for disadvantaged young
people as part of their Pakistan programme for the next five years.
The British Council also supports the development of education
in Pakistan and have facilitated 170 school and 50 university
links between the UK and Pakistan. Furthermore, 230,000 UK examinations
were delivered in Pakistan in 2006 and 8,000 Pakistani students
currentiy study in the UK. We expect these figures to continue
to rise.
The Pakistani authorities are making significant
efforts to curb cross-border inflitration on the Afghan-Pakistani
border, and we recognise their commitment to continue this work.
We share their concem about Taliban influence in the Federally
Administered Tribal Areas and continue to monitor the resuits
of the peace agreements signed with tribal elders in North and
South Waziristan. We work closely with the Pakistani authorities
on counter-terrorism including capacity-building where the FCO
currently spends approximately 34% of their overall overseas counter-terrorism
budget Work also continues in a number of other areas, including
exchanges in forensic training, investigating the financing of
terrorism and the sharing of crisis management experience.
7 June 2007
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