British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair denied today that Britain and the United States were at odds over operations on the ground in support of humanitarian relief in Afghanistan.
On the military, diplomatic and humanitarian fronts there is complete agreement, he told parliament, responding to opposition probing about a rift with Britain's senior partner.
His statement followed British press reports of a worrying gap between the two countries over the next phase of military action, and comments by a senior minister that she felt some members of the US military were not responsive enough in support of relief efforts.
British International Development Secretary Ms Clare Short said armed forces were needed to support the aid effort. But she said the US military - whose focus rests on hunting Osama bin Laden - was not responsive enough at a high level.
"We and the French were ready to go . . . There has been delay and that is regrettable," Ms Short, known as an outspoken minister in a disciplined British government, told BBC radio today.
Mr Blair announced last week that 6,000 troops had been put on 48 hours notice to join an advance guard of British commandos in the region - but so far not one has moved. France also pledged to send soldiers.
Ms Short did not explicitly blame Washington, but ministers from Mr Blair down say troop deployments are decided by the United States.
"It isn't true that America doesn't care and there aren't people who don't share our perspective," Short said. "It is true there are some hawks who don't share that perspective."
British Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw has also insisted the transatlantic allies were as one on all aspects of the three-pronged strategy.