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Video of the debte will be posted soon
   
Manchester Afghan War Debate exposed the weaknesses of the pro war arguments
Video of the event here.
There was a lively and interesting debate in Manchester last week on the Afghan War
Professor Eric Grove, Director, Centre for International Security and War Studies, University of Salford, argued the case for increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan. He acknowledged that the war on Iraq had been illegal, disastrous and unnecessary.
However, he argued, Afghanistan was a legal war, and it was justified following the attack on the twin towers. Despite mistakes in how the war was fought, and the non delivery of re-construction in Afghanistan, increased troop numbers were essential so that 'within 2-3 years' the US and ISAP forces could provide security and continue to help construct a 'western friendly secure state' in Afghanistan. Failure would result in an emboldened 'Jihadist' movement which would pose a wider threat to the West.
Steve Bell, treasurer of the Stop the War Coalition, argued that the war may be technically legal but that does not mean it is right or just. He explained in detail why Afghanistan was not a 'winnable war'.
Anti war speakers argued that it was the invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan which had led to responses from 'Jihadi terrorists'. The war and occupations are making us less safe, not more safe. There are no realistic prospects for a reconstruction of Afghanistan, given they have already been in Afghanistan for eight years and done nothing, and the US 'does not do nation building'. Indeed, the US has not reconstructed parts of America like New Orleans destroyed by flooding, nor have they constructed a national health service in America. With all three political parties in Britain promising cuts in our welfare state, how could it be feasible to spend money 'rebuilding Afghanistan'? Most of the reconstruction money that remains after the politicians have taken their cut, is spent on building the Afghan Police and Army, not hospitals, schools and roads. The current Afghan government is full of war lords, drug barons and rapists, yet this is the government British soldiers are dying to defend. Time to get out!
Concern that the war has now spread to Pakistan was a great. 'In the 1970's people in my country used to look to the US as a model. But decades of them supporting the 'bad guys' in Pakistan, of allowing the killing and arrest of the 'good guys' has led to the situation where all of the ordinary Pakistani people today now hate America and what they are doing in Afghanistan, and how they are pushing the Pakistan Army to attack parts of Pakistan at US insistence.'
Stop the War would like to thank Professor Eric Grove who was prepared to debate the war. Of the MPs in Greater Manchester, all of whom voted to start the war on Afghanistan, not one could attend the debate, nor offer an opinion. They have 'cut and run' from the political debate.
John Leech MP, not in parliament when the Afghan war decision was taken, is the only Greater Manchester MP today to call for the withdrawal of British troops.
See also: The Afghan Debate and Chris Coverdale on International War Law |
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