ABC (Australia) : UK sending more troops to Afghanistan

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

UK sending more troops to Afghanistan

by Emma Alberici | April 28, 2009

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has visited Afghanistan and Pakistan and outlined a new strategy for what he has called the "crucible of terrorism".

After talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul, Mr Brown announced a shift in the UK's strategy toward Afghanistan.

The plan mirrors that outlined by US President Barack Obama and involves greater focus on the border with Pakistan which the British Prime Minister described as a "crucible for terrorism" responsible for fostering up to three-quarters of terror threats faced by the UK.

Britain will send 900 extra troops in addition to $30 million worth of aid to help the Afghans with their election in August.