.Brown, Obama urge allies to share Afghan burden
LONDON (AP) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday urged NATO allies to share the burden of heavy combat in Afghanistan amid the deadliest month of the war.
Brown's office said the leaders spoke by telephone to discuss the military campaign, and agreed that - despite heavy losses - progress is being made by U.S and British troops carrying out separate missions to oust Taliban fighters from the volatile southern Helmand province.
At least 37 U.S. service members and 19 British soldiers have died in July - making it the deadliest month of the war for both U.S. and NATO forces.
"They agreed that the mission in Afghanistan remained critical to the national security of Afghanistan, the U.S. and the U.K.," Brown's office said in a statement.
Brown's office said that, "despite the tragic human cost," the military offensive in Helmand is improving security ahead of Afghan elections scheduled for next month.
"The Prime Minister and President also discussed the importance of working to make the forthcoming elections as credible and inclusive as possible. They agreed on the importance of better military and civilian burden-sharing with NATO allies," the statement said.
Some NATO and European nations - particularly France and Germany - have been criticized for their reluctance to take on combat roles.
Britain's defense ministry said Friday it was sending 125 additional troops to its 9,000-strong force in Afghanistan, including explosives experts to counter the threat of roadside bombs - a response to a rising death toll from bomb attacks.
Brown's office said that following next month's elections there is likely to be an increased focus from Britain and the U.S. on economic development and training of Afghan security forces.
MyWay
Brown's office said the leaders spoke by telephone to discuss the military campaign, and agreed that - despite heavy losses - progress is being made by U.S and British troops carrying out separate missions to oust Taliban fighters from the volatile southern Helmand province.
At least 37 U.S. service members and 19 British soldiers have died in July - making it the deadliest month of the war for both U.S. and NATO forces.
"They agreed that the mission in Afghanistan remained critical to the national security of Afghanistan, the U.S. and the U.K.," Brown's office said in a statement.
Brown's office said that, "despite the tragic human cost," the military offensive in Helmand is improving security ahead of Afghan elections scheduled for next month.
"The Prime Minister and President also discussed the importance of working to make the forthcoming elections as credible and inclusive as possible. They agreed on the importance of better military and civilian burden-sharing with NATO allies," the statement said.
Some NATO and European nations - particularly France and Germany - have been criticized for their reluctance to take on combat roles.
Britain's defense ministry said Friday it was sending 125 additional troops to its 9,000-strong force in Afghanistan, including explosives experts to counter the threat of roadside bombs - a response to a rising death toll from bomb attacks.
Brown's office said that following next month's elections there is likely to be an increased focus from Britain and the U.S. on economic development and training of Afghan security forces.
MyWay
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