Clinton rejects Wikileaks report of US criticising UK’s effort in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has slammed revelations by whistle blower website Wikileaks that America and Afghanistan had criticised British forces for not being up to the task of securing Helmand province.

Expressing “deep respect and admiration for the extraordinary efforts” of the British in Afghanistan, Clinton said the US greatly appreciated Britain’s commitment in Afghanistan and said that she did not agree that British troops “were not up to the task.”

The BBC quoted her as saying further: “We not only value, but we mourn the sacrifice of those brave young soldiers and civilians who have worked to try to stabilise Afghanistan, to deal with the threat of terrorism that confronts us all.”

“I personally want to convey to the government and the people of the United Kingdom both our deep respect and admiration for the extraordinary efforts, and our regret if anything that was said by anyone to suggest the contrary,” Clinton added.

According to US diplomatic cables released by ‘WikiLeaks’ this week, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, top Afghan officials and the US commander of Nato troops, had slammed Britain over its failure to impose security and connect with ordinary Afghans in the troubled Helmand province.

It also said that the British operation in Helmand was criticised for its failure to establish security in Sangin, the town that that claimed more British lives than any other place in Afghanistan. (ANI)