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Britain: Ground Combat Forces Ready To Move Into Afghanistan - 2001-10-22


Britain says its ground forces are ready to move into Afghanistan to support the U.S. led war on terrorism.

British Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon told British radio Monday that ground troops are an option. Military experts say they believe British commandos already have been in Afghanistan on intelligence-gathering operations.

Mr. Hoon indicates military strategy could change because of the coming winter snows. He also says any decision to suspend fighting during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan would be based on the military's judgement at that time.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says plans for a post-war Afghanistan must be developed while the military action is under way.

Speaking to the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London Monday, Mr. Straw said the collapse of the Taleban government in Afghanistan could come gradually or very suddenly.

He said the effort for the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan would not be cheap and could take five to 10 years to complete.

The foreign secretary plans to travel to Washington later this week for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

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