UK Special Representative Cowper-Coles resigns after criticism over war strategy in Afghanistan
September 8th, 2010 - 5:48 pm ICT by BNO NewsLONDON (BNO NEWS) –British Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Sherard Cowper-Coles, resigned from his position with immediate effect on Wednesday after press reports about his criticism over the war strategy in Afghanistan.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague accepted Cowper-Coles’ resignation on Wednesday and named Karen Pierce, the current Director South Asia and Afghanistan, to replace him. “Sherard has made an invaluable contribution to UK policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Hague said.
Hague said Cowper-Coles has shown ‘great commitment, dedication and expertise’ during an important phase in international efforts in the region. “He has a very able successor in Karen Pierce,” Hague added, while noting that Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to be the government’s top priority in foreign affairs.
Cowper-Coles has a lengthy history with affairs in Afghanistan. Besides serving as Britain’s Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan since March 2009, he served as Ambassador to Afghanistan for the previous two years.
While the UK Foreign Office nor Hague discussed the reason for Cowper-Coles’ resignation, it comes just over a month after press reports about his criticism over the war in Afghanistan.
The Guardian newspaper reported on June 21st that Cowper-Coles made no secret of his doubts about U.S. strategy in private discussions during a recent meeting in London. The Special Representative said the U.S.-led Afghan war lacked a military solution and said the sooner this fact was faced and a new emphasis placed on a diplomatic approach, the better for everyone concerned.
The United States however favors a military surge to wipe out the Taliban, which continues to kill dozens of troops every month in small but deadly attacks. Cowper-Coles’ critical stance on the issue now appears to have cost him his position.
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Tags: afghan war, bno, coles, critical stance, diplomatic approach, guardian newspaper, international efforts, invaluable contribution, lengthy history, military solution, private discussions, resignation, secretary william, sherard, South Asia, top priority, uk foreign office, war in afghanistan, war strategy, william hague
