(15 Jul 2009)
1. Wide of British troops arriving in Helmand province by helicopter
2. Various of troops walking through streets
3. Various of Britain's army chief, General Sir Richard Dannatt meeting and talking with soldiers
4. Troops walking
5. Dannatt walking with local officials
6. Various of Dannatt at table with troops, local officials and journalists
7. Set-up shot of Nick Richardson, spokesman for British Forces in Helmand Province
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Richardson, Spokesman for British Forces in Helmand Province:
"He (Dannatt) came to see the people of Sangin, he came to see the governor who's doing a very good job, and he came to see how security and development has given prosperity to the people of Sangin, and he's encouraging that so that more and more happens over the coming days and months and years to help make things better for the people of Sangin and around that area."
9. Mid shot of troops under tent
STORYLINE:
Britain's army chief said on Wednesday that more troops are needed in Afghanistan's volatile southern province of Helmand as soldiers pursue a bloody campaign to uproot Taliban fighters before next month's elections there.
General Sir Richard Dannatt said more soldiers were needed to hold territory won in intense combat.
Speaking in Sangin, Helmand, on Wednesday, Dannatt told BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) radio that the "top line and the bottom line," was that more troops are required.
Some 9-thousand British troops are in Helmand, but the deaths of 15 soldiers this month - including eight in a 24-hour period - have prompted debate in Britain over whether the conflict is winnable.
About 4-thousand US Marines began operations in Helmand this month, seeking to prevent the Taliban from disrupting the country's August 20 presidential ballot.
The 58-year-old Dannatt is due to retire next month.
The spokesman for British Forces in Helmand Province, Nick Richardson said the army chief made the visit "to see how security and development has given prosperity to the people of Sangin".
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Afghanistan should contribute more troops to support the British.
Britain and the United States have urged their NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) allies to play a larger role in combat operations in Afghanistan.
Critics have accused Brown's government of failing to provide soldiers with adequate vehicles and aircraft, requiring more journeys by land that leave troops vulnerable to roadside bomb attacks.
Dannatt said efforts to provide extra helicopters and armoured vehicles had been too slow.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
