L and Cons.: We succeeded in Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan has cost 43 Danish soldiers their lives and DKK 13 billion in state funds.

Yet the Danish effort is deemed a success according to Danish politicians, who have just put the final touches on an agreement to pull Danish troops out of Afghanistan before 2015.

“We entered Afghanistan to prevent the country from remaining a den of terrorismand since then, the Taleban have withdrawn from combat. Our mission was to keep Afghanistan from becoming a refuge for international terrorists, and that mission is now complete,” said Lars Løkke Rasmussen, party chair of the Liberals and former PM.

DKK 100 million a year for training

The new plan of action for Afghanistan was passed by all parliamentary parties except the Unity List.

The plan entails withdrawing all Danish combatants during the course of 2013 and the tank division by mid-2014.

After this, only a few hundred soldiers will be left behind with the possibility of calling in transport helicopters and fighter jets.

Denmark will remain a presence in Afghanistan even after the combat units have gone home. Danish personnel will contribute to the organisation and training of the Afghani police force, and the annual financial support of Afghani military forces will increase to DKK 100 million between 2015 and 2017.

The money will go towards education and vocational training and is a vital part of Danish efforts, says Spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs for the Conservatives, Lene Espersen.

“First of all, we have to protect our soldiers and help train Afghani forces to resume responsibility for fighting the rebel groupings that wish to destabilise the country. Secondly, we will help Afghanistan as the recipient of the largest share of Danish development aid to build efficient schools, hospitals and institutions,” said Espersen.

Teachers and nurses

Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach (SocLib) says that Danish endeavours will change once the plan comes into force.

“We rely on the considerable military effort and the fragile peace and security it has afforded us. The new plan will be a shift from focusing on soldiers to focusing on Afghani teachers, nurses and rebuilding the Afghani state and administration,” said Bach.