There's sort of a mismatch between the title of the article and its actual content, but a good development, nonetheless. The part at the end, however: "would happen only if troops had the equipment and training necessary to perform the tasks asked of them." How many troops is the UK capable of maintaining in the field? 500 isn't an awful lot, how are they running into possible equipment and training difficulties?
BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | UK sends 500 more to Afghanistan
UK sends 500 more to Afghanistan
Gordon Brown says the UK will send 500 more forces personnel to Afghanistan - but only if key conditions are met.
They will be sent as long as they have the necessary equipment, if other Nato allies boost their troop numbers and more Afghan soldiers are trained.
There are currently about 9,000 UK personnel in Afghanistan.
The US is expected to announce a substantial increase in its troops next week, the BBC's Newsnight reports. The US says no decision has been made.
Newsnight says the Obama administration has already told the UK government it will soon announce a substantial increase to its military forces in Afghanistan.
The programme understands an announcement could come next week, in time for a Nato defence ministers meeting in Bratislava.
But White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed the report, saying President Barack Obama had not yet made a decision on troop numbers.
As well as the 9,000 UK personnel, there are 150 reserve troops in the country which the Ministry of Defence said would be available for further temporary deployments.
Military chiefs welcomed the UK troop reinforcement, insisting their requests had been fully met but opposition parties said more details about the timing of the deployment were needed.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Brown paid tribute to each of the 37 British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since the end of July when Parliament began its summer recess.
Describing it as a "solemn moment", he said their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
While nothing could "erase the pain" of bereaved families, Mr Brown added that they could be proud of the actions of their loved ones and know that their "influence" would live on.
Mr Brown said he was prepared, in principle, to send an extra 500 troops to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan - where Nato troops are fighting fierce battles with the Taliban - in response to military advice.
He said the reinforcements, which would increase overall UK numbers to 9,500, would happen only if troops had the equipment and training necessary to perform the tasks asked of them.
Gordon Brown says the UK will send 500 more forces personnel to Afghanistan - but only if key conditions are met.
They will be sent as long as they have the necessary equipment, if other Nato allies boost their troop numbers and more Afghan soldiers are trained.
There are currently about 9,000 UK personnel in Afghanistan.
The US is expected to announce a substantial increase in its troops next week, the BBC's Newsnight reports. The US says no decision has been made.
Newsnight says the Obama administration has already told the UK government it will soon announce a substantial increase to its military forces in Afghanistan.
The programme understands an announcement could come next week, in time for a Nato defence ministers meeting in Bratislava.
But White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed the report, saying President Barack Obama had not yet made a decision on troop numbers.
As well as the 9,000 UK personnel, there are 150 reserve troops in the country which the Ministry of Defence said would be available for further temporary deployments.
Military chiefs welcomed the UK troop reinforcement, insisting their requests had been fully met but opposition parties said more details about the timing of the deployment were needed.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Brown paid tribute to each of the 37 British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since the end of July when Parliament began its summer recess.
Describing it as a "solemn moment", he said their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
While nothing could "erase the pain" of bereaved families, Mr Brown added that they could be proud of the actions of their loved ones and know that their "influence" would live on.
Mr Brown said he was prepared, in principle, to send an extra 500 troops to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan - where Nato troops are fighting fierce battles with the Taliban - in response to military advice.
He said the reinforcements, which would increase overall UK numbers to 9,500, would happen only if troops had the equipment and training necessary to perform the tasks asked of them.
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