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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nato must follow US example - PM | Nato must follow US example - PM |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged all Nato countries to "unite" behind the US in boosting the number of troops they have in Afghanistan. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged all Nato countries to "unite" behind the US in boosting the number of troops they have in Afghanistan. |
| President Barack Obama has promised an extra 30,000 personnel will be deployed to the country by August. | President Barack Obama has promised an extra 30,000 personnel will be deployed to the country by August. |
| Mr Brown promised the UK, which has pledged an extra 500 troops, would "continue to play its full part" and persuade other nations to follow suit. | Mr Brown promised the UK, which has pledged an extra 500 troops, would "continue to play its full part" and persuade other nations to follow suit. |
| Mr Obama said he wanted forces to start pulling out within two years. | Mr Obama said he wanted forces to start pulling out within two years. |
| His plans will increase the total American presence in Afghanistan to almost 100,000 by next summer. | His plans will increase the total American presence in Afghanistan to almost 100,000 by next summer. |
| 'Further support' | 'Further support' |
| But Mr Obama warned that the commitment would not be open-ended, setting out a timetable for Afghan security forces to be trained to a sufficient level to enable the US to start pulling troops out as early as July 2011. | But Mr Obama warned that the commitment would not be open-ended, setting out a timetable for Afghan security forces to be trained to a sufficient level to enable the US to start pulling troops out as early as July 2011. |
| Mr Brown said in a written statement: "I call on all our allies to unite behind President Obama's strategy." | Mr Brown said in a written statement: "I call on all our allies to unite behind President Obama's strategy." |
| TROOPS FIGHTING THE TALIBAN US: More than 100,000 by July 2010Other foreign (mainly Nato): Some 32,000 currently, with a British offer of 500 moreAfghan National Army: 94,000Afghan National Police: 81,000 Map: Foreign forces in Afghanistan US surge 'to aid UK' | |
| He also said: "Britain will continue to play its full part in persuading other countries to offer troops to the Afghanistan campaign. | He also said: "Britain will continue to play its full part in persuading other countries to offer troops to the Afghanistan campaign. |
| "A vital next stage is the London conference on Afghanistan on 28 January, to which all 43 coalition nations will be invited. | "A vital next stage is the London conference on Afghanistan on 28 January, to which all 43 coalition nations will be invited. |
| "It will offer an opportunity to agree a process to transfer provinces and districts to Afghan control; to make decisions on new civilian co-ordination in Afghanistan; and to support commitments by President Karzai on Afghan reforms to build up the Afghan army and police, and local governance; and to secure further support from international partners." | "It will offer an opportunity to agree a process to transfer provinces and districts to Afghan control; to make decisions on new civilian co-ordination in Afghanistan; and to support commitments by President Karzai on Afghan reforms to build up the Afghan army and police, and local governance; and to secure further support from international partners." |
| Mr Obama's announcement came more than three months after the White House received a report from the US's top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, recommending about 40,000 extra soldiers were needed. | Mr Obama's announcement came more than three months after the White House received a report from the US's top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, recommending about 40,000 extra soldiers were needed. |
| Helmand commitment | |
| The head of the UK's armed forces, Sir Jock Stirrup, told BBC Radio 4's Today he was "delighted" by the US's move. | The head of the UK's armed forces, Sir Jock Stirrup, told BBC Radio 4's Today he was "delighted" by the US's move. |
| He added that Gen McChrystal's demand had been for 40,000 more troops across the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, rather than simply from the US. | He added that Gen McChrystal's demand had been for 40,000 more troops across the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, rather than simply from the US. |
| He said: "They [the US] are providing three quarters of what General McChrystal asked for... | He said: "They [the US] are providing three quarters of what General McChrystal asked for... |
| "We [the UK] are actually putting in 1,200 more from the starting point from where General McChrystal based his assessment... They didn't ask for more and we didn't say 'no'." | "We [the UK] are actually putting in 1,200 more from the starting point from where General McChrystal based his assessment... They didn't ask for more and we didn't say 'no'." |
| Sir Jock added: "I expect the British contribution to remain centred in Helmand for some time to come, at the very least." | Sir Jock added: "I expect the British contribution to remain centred in Helmand for some time to come, at the very least." |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said senior British military sources thought some areas of Helmand could be placed under the control of Afghan forces in 2010. | |
| Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey said: "This is a fight where global security is at stake, given the threat of Jihadists not just taking control of Afghanistan but, potentially, of Pakistan, and of course that's a state with nuclear weapons. | |
| "So it's absolutely critical that we are successful here. Now we are at last seeing a much more intelligent approach than we saw particularly under President Bush. | |
| "We really hope this is a chance of success. This is the best, last chance of success." |