PM paves way for US troop surge in Afghanistan, saying he has assurances from Nato countries
source: Guardian UK
Gordon Brown paved the way today for the announcement next Tuesday of a large US troop surge in Afghanistan by saying he had received assurances from Nato countries that they would contribute an extra 5,000 troops.
The assurances are significant because both Brown and Barack Obama have said they will not commit more of their own troops unless there are increases in other Nato troop numbers.
There was some confusion in Nato circles as to the source of Brown’s optimism that the number of troops could rise by 5,000, but the prime minister’s spokesman said his assessment came after discussions with 10 coalition partners.
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