Shots being fired: official

Afghanistan is tougher than we thought, says Des Browne, the latest to follow in the footsteps of Geoff Hoon and John Reid as Defence Secretary. Well it's certainly tougher than they told us. Remember Reid telling us only six months ago that British troops were going in as peacekeepers and would probably leave without a shot being fired.

Already then it was well known that the US troops were being defeated by the Taliban. That's why they withdrew and demanded that the British troops took over in Helmand province. Since that happened shots have been fired every day, and the number of British soldiers dying has risen.

It is painful to watch the young British soldiers talking with obvious shock about the strength of the Taliban, and even express admiration for them militarily. They are facing not peacekeeping but battles involving hundreds of forces whose scale has not been seen by the British army for decades.

The Taliban has gone from defeat and exile 5 years ago to growing support in the south of the country. Why? Because they are the only force arguing for resistance to the occupation and opposing government corruption. International aid supposedly for reconstruction has been squandered, going to NGOs and charities and not to the Afghans who so desperately need it.

The British government bleats that the other NATO powers are not doing their fair share: another way of looking at it is that most European governments have not been foolish enough to send their troops to the most dangerous part of the country. The Polish government recently announced another 1000 from February (no rush then)but this has led to a major political crisis. They're brewing here and in Canada too whose troops are bearing the brunt of casualties.

So now that's Afghanistan tougher than we thought, Iraq tougher than we thought. Perhaps the thought might cross the minds of Browne and his colleagues that these wars are unwinnable and that withdrawal will turn out ot be the only option. But how many lives will be lost before they own up to the truth?

As our march approaches on Saturday, I discern a growing anger with the politicians over these issues and an increasing linking of them to wider politics. The NHS is being privatised and butchered while we replace Trident and spend billions on wars and occupations.

The meeting in Sheffield last night with Tony Benn demonstrated that. Over 800 people in a wonderful meeting agreed with our analysis of the war but also applauded those who spoke of opposing NHS closures, attacks on trade unions, and campaigning round issues from Trident to disability to racism. We're a movement mobilised against these wars but also for a better world.

Not good news for Tony Blair when we all turn up in Manchester on Saturday.

By the way, I see John Reid has told Muslim parents to keep their children away from extremists. I suggest they keep their children away from John Reid _otherwise he might slap an ASBO on them or lock them up for 90 days.