THE “courage and professionalism” of Islanders who fought in Afghanistan has been highlighted by the Chief Minister in the wake of controversial remarks by US President Donald Trump about the role of NATO forces in the conflict.
Speaking during yesterday’s States sitting, Deputy Lyndon Farnham marked “our respect as an Assembly for all those from Jersey who served alongside our allies and for their families who shared the burden of service” and said that he would “disassociate myself and the government from any comments made by others contrary to this”.
He was responding to a question from Deputy Catherine Curtis, who asked if the Chief Minster would say something “in recognition of the bravery and service” of soldiers from Jersey who fought in Afghanistan, “bearing in mind the dismissive comments made by president Trump”.
The US President faced a major backlash following a Fox News interview last month, in which he said that NATO forces “stayed a little back, little off the front lines” in Afghanistan.
Mr Trump later posted praise for “the great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom” after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the remarks about NATO troops “insulting and frankly appalling”.
Deputy Farnham said: “The men and women who served did so with courage, professionalism and a deep sense of duty.”
He continued: “They operated in extraordinarily difficult circumstances, dangerous circumstances, far from home.
“I want to place on record, if I may, our respect as an Assembly for all those from Jersey who served alongside our allies and for their families who shared the burden of service and I would disassociate myself and the government from any comments made by others contrary to this.”
