...by the Prime Minister's own admission, the reality on the ground is "difficult". So far in the South, Britain's DFID (Department for International Development) has only spent £2m of its £50 million 3-year budget because most aid agencies (including DFID's own staff) cannot operate in the field because of the dangers. Yet it is vital that the Afghan people should see some benefits coming from the occupation. Senior British Military sources estimate that only about 3% of the population are Taleban, with perhaps another 7% sympathetic; against them are ranged 20% out and out enemies; that leaves about 70% of the population "up for grabs". If NATO and the Kharzai Govt can't deliver peace and prosperity, many of the undecided may opt for the rougher stability under Taliban rule.
There are also problems with NATO's military operations. Many of the nations contributing troops, including Germany, ban them from taking part in conflict. That places an ever tougher burden on fighting nations such as Britain, the USA and Canada. There have also been demands for more troops and more and better equipment, which have gone largely unheeded. NATO leaders are to attend a summit in Riga, Latvia later this month, where its hoped, without much expectation, that some of these difficulties can be ironed out.
Compare and contrast Mr Blair's rather more optimistic pronouncements as reported by the BBC:
Tony Blair says British troops will stay in Afghanistan until their job is done and has praised its president for the "remarkable progress" made there.
He told reporters he believed Afghan people deserved to live in a democratic country without oppression.
"I want to recommit ourselves to say that we will be with you in this endeavour," the UK prime minister said, after talks with the Afghan president.
Earlier he had visited British troops in the south of the country.
Addressing President Hamid Karzai in a joint press conference in the capital Kabul, Mr Blair said: "The progress that Afghanistan has made under your leadership over these past few years has indeed been remarkable."
There had been economic growth over several years and a lot of reconstruction and development was under way, he said.
He said the UK would help the country to meet challenges of security, reconstruction and development.
All very well for Mr Blair to play the statesman by issuing assurances - he is not going to have to deliver...
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