December 2007
11 posts
2 tags
Our Boys drip them to shreds →
The Sun By Jerome Starkey, in Kabul BRIT troops in Afghanistan are poised to get a new ally to help blitz the Taliban — the RAIN. Top brass have issued orders to take advantage of looming torrential downpours to pin down the bloodthirsty rebels, The Sun can reveal. The aim is to unleash hell on terrorists skulking in the south’s lawless Helmand province while they are cut off by floods.
Dec 31st
Our Boys blitz Taliban bash →
The Sun By Jerome Starkey with Our Boys in Helmand BRITISH commandos launched a devastating blitz on the Taliban – as the evil terrorists held a party to celebrate Benazir Bhutto’s murder. The dawn raid was staged after messages were intercepted about the sick knees-up in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Royal Marines crept into position as the fanatics partied the night away just hours...
Dec 30th
3 tags
Diplomats to leave Afghanistan as new Great Game... →
The Independent By Jerome Starkey, in Kajaki Helmand Two senior diplomats are to fly out of Afghanistan today after being accused of talking to the Taliban, despite international pressure to let them stay. The expulsion of Michael Semple, an Irishman who is acting head of the EU mission, and Mervin Patterson, a Briton who is the third-ranking UN official in Kabul, has shed light on the murky...
Dec 26th
Western diplomats expelled from Kabul →
The Independent By Jerome Starkey in Camp Bastion and Anne Penketh Two senior Western diplomats were given 48 hours to leave Afghanistan yesterday after trying to negotiate with anti-government leaders in Helmand. Michael Semple, the acting head of the European Union mission in Afghanistan and a close confidant of Britain’s ambassador, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, and Mervin Patterson, the...
Dec 25th
Santa hats and sniper fire: Christmas in... →
The Independent By Jerome Starkey in Kajaki The deafening crack of a Royal Marine’s sniper rifle marked the start of business as usual in Afghanistan yesterday. “Merry Christmas” quipped a commando, as a second shot tore through the freezing morning air. The fighting men of 40 Commando were already on patrol as the clocks struck Christmas in Britain. They left their base at...
Dec 25th
A ton of turkey for the troops in Afghanistan -... →
Daily Mail By Jerome Starkey Catering for thousands of British soldiers on Christmas Day in the middle of a war zone has proved a challenge too far for suppliers. The turkey has arrived on time at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan, along with cranberry sauce and tons of potatoes. But not a single sprout will appear on the trestle tables tomorrow and Brigadier Andrew Mackay,...
Dec 23rd
2 tags
Sprouts have gone AWOL →
The Sun By Jerome Starkey, in Camp Bastion OUR Boys in Afghanistan will be treated to a slap-up festive lunch this Christmas – WITHOUT Brussels sprouts. A gaffe by civilian catering suppliers means the festive staple has not been flown to Helmand Province. Sgt John Marr, kitchen chief at British HQ Camp Bastion, said: “Eight months ago the order list came and there weren’t sprouts. We can...
Dec 23rd
Karzai 'already in talks with allies of Taliban... →
The Independent By Jerome Starkey in Kabul and Colin Brown The Taliban’s former chief spokesman has revealed that top-level talks are being held between the Afghan government of Hamid Karzai and key lieutenants of the former Taliban leader Mullah Omar. His disclosure that the Taliban “cabinet in exile” is engaged in negotiations appeared to contradict the statement to...
Dec 12th
Nato claims crucial victory in Musa Qala but will... →
The Independent By Jerome Starkey, in Kabul Nato has declared that the strategic southern Afghan town of Musa Qala has officially fallen after British and Afghan forces marched into the heart of the former Taliban stronghold.
Dec 11th
3 tags
Dec 4th
Ashdown lined up to be super envoy for Afghanistan →
Daily Mail By Jerome Starkey in Kabul Paddy Ashdown has been offered a new “super-job” in Afghanistan as high representative of Nato and the UN. If he accepts the role, the former Liberal Democrat leader may also become the EU’s representative in the country. Lord Ashdown would then have the difficult task of ensuring the three bodies work better together to prevent the...
Dec 1st