British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced yesterday that an extra 500 troops would go to Afghanistan, but pressed NATO allies to do their “fair share” in the increasingly deadly and unpopular mission.
Brown also said the Afghan government — whoever is in charge following disputed elections — had to commit to providing more Afghan troops, as well as to get tough on corruption.
The announcement, which takes Britain’s force level in Afghanistan to 9,500, came as US President Barack Obama mulls a request for up to 60,000 more troops from General Stanley McChrystal, the top NATO and US commander in Afghanistan.
Brown has opted to boost troop levels despite growing public calls for British forces to come home, plus controversy over the scope and resourcing of the military effort.
“We have agreed in principle a new British troop level of 9,500,” Brown said in a statement to the House of Commons.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed this represented an increase of 500.
He stressed the increase was based on three conditions — that the Afghan government shows a commitment to providing police and soldiers who can be trained up to engage in combat; that British troops are properly equipped; and that other NATO countries also boost force levels.
“Our commitment [should be] part of an agreed approach across the international coalition, with all countries bearing their fair share,” Brown said. “Everyone must accept that if they are part of the coalition, they have to share the burden.”
Brown also announced that Britain would provide an extra US$16 million in humanitarian aid for areas of Pakistan “liberated” from militants.
Britain has around 9,000 troops in Afghanistan, the second-largest deployment after the US.
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