From Reuters:
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's incoming army chief said on Monday comments he made earlier this month about the conflict in Afghanistan lasting up to 40 years were misconstrued.
General David Richards, who takes over as chief of the defense staff on August 28, said in a statement his earlier comments needed clarifying and he did not think British soldiers would be fighting there for 40 more years.
"It is not what I said or what I believe," he said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense.
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Update: British forces to remain in Afghanistan for another five years, says Richard Dannatt -- The Telegraph
Update #2: General Sir David Richards backs Bob Ainsworth on Afghanistan time frame -- Times Online
My Comment: These differing departure dates tells me that the U.K. does not have a plan for Afghanistan. The impression that is given is that they are doing everything on the fly.