Day 75 Week 10

The commanding officer in charge of the two Riflemen killed on Tuesday was speaking of their bravery. They were on patrol with soldiers from the Afghan National Army - two of whom were also killed - when they intercepted two suicide bombers on motorbikes and so instead of possibly scores of people being blown up at Sangin Bazaar, including many women, children and the elderly, only four lives were taken. They paid the ultimate price.

Heard the Secretary General of Nato, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, being interviewed on the BBC World Service the other night, on the eve of his visit to Moscow. He outlined at length the cultural and institutional obstacles involved in trying to promote efficiency and indeed honesty within the Afghan security forces. He admitted that at least eight to ten thousand soldiers desert from the ANA each year and the same number from the developing police force, the problems there also being compounded by the fact that may officers are heroin addicts. He outlined the need to develop trust and confidence with the people and to that end the tactics had been changed to 'working and living with and amongst', as opposed to being stationed on a base and dealing with individual skirmishes as they occurred. Sometimes it feels as if our people are expected not to simply be military personnel but actually miracle workers quite happy to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

When questioned about the change in attitude to Russia, with a softening of the diplomatic language including the word 'friend' being used, he initially gave the response that their interests were our interests and a safer Europe meant a safer world etc. But on further questioning he admitted the Afghan security forces had complained that western equipment was too complex and unsuitable for their climate and terrain, and that they preferred the simpler more reliable Kalashnikov. What an irony that the stalwart of late twentieth century terrorists and revolutionaries, and consequently the scourge of the western-capitalist block, the AK-47 (so named Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947) is now the target of weapons procurement by NATO.

Find I am becoming increasingly cynical about the whole thing. Certainly not doubting in any way the adherence to duty and responsibility by our soldiers, sailors and airmen, just the abject lack of morals sometimes applied by those making political decisions. Also find it so depressing that repeatedly over the ages the good intent of so many religions is hijacked by fanatics who twist the goodness and compassion of the creed into self-serving monstrosity.

Not heard from C so hoping that particular negative is in fact a positive to be cherished. R home and has a job interview in the morning, and H confirmed France is beautiful.

I'm off to the doctor this afternoon for a check up, but it's started to blizzard and hope to goodness it doesn't settle because I'm terrified of falling over - again. I have a bit of a reputation for being clumsy and accident prone.

Lots of prayers for loved ones everywhere.

Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x