UK: Support to Afghanistan vital after pullout

World must not abandon Afghanistan after combat mission ends, therefore, British and American troops fighting in Afghanistan should get out now if the world's major powers are not prepared to continue backing the Afghan government after combat operations end in 2014, said to Britain's Ambassador in Kabul Sir William Patey. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Patey, 58, who finishes his posting at the end of the week, said the world would be making a monumental historical mistake if it did not continue to provide financial and other support to Afghanistan following the 2014 deadline. NATO combat forces are due to complete their withdrawal by the end of 2014, when security for the country will be handed over to Afghan security forces. An international conference on the future of Afghanistan is to be hosted by Nato in Chicago in May, when donor nations will be asked to contribute usd 4.3 billion (2.7 billion pounds) a year after 2014 to maintain the country's reconstruction effort after three decades of incessant conflict. Washington has indicated that it is prepared to contribute 1.75 billion pounds with the remainder coming from Europe and other states, such as Japan and Australia, that are currently supporting the NATO mission. The British Government says it is prepared to contribute 62.5 million pounds to the fund, but there are concerns that other countries, such as France, are proving reluctant to maintain their involvement in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline.