Brown: Afghan border a terror 'crucible'

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KABUL, Afghanistan, April 27 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said a "crucible of terrorism" exists in the Taliban-dominated Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.

Brown met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai In Kabul Monday after visiting British troops deployed to Helmand province as part of the NATO-led international coalition, The Times of London reported.

"There is a crucible of terrorism in the mountainous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan," Brown said. "Our approach to both countries is different but must be complementary. Our strategy for dealing with the breeding ground of terrorism will mean more security in the streets of Great Britain."

The government's new plans for fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be announced Wednesday in the House of Commons, but observers said there were no plans for a substantial increase in troop numbers.

Brown said Britain's 8,300-member contingent would be temporarily increased to 9,000 during Afghan elections then return to 8,300.

The British government committed about $746 million in development aid to Afghanistan during the next four years, the British newspaper said. Separately, Britain is paying $973 million to Pakistan for the same period.

Brown proposed redirecting Britain's financial aid from the "relatively safe" areas of Pakistan to the country's troublesome northern provinces.