U.S. NATO Envoy Calls For More Troops In Afghanistan
Nidhi Sharma - All Headline News Staff Writer Washington, DC (AHN) - Victoria Nuland - Washington's ambassador to NATO said allies must fulfill their commitment to the future stability of Afghanistan by dispatching more troops to the country. Nuland praised the countries like U.S., Britain, Canada and the Netherlands for their efforts in Afghanistan, but urged other members of the 26-nation alliance to reinforce political and logistical support with military commitments. "What we are looking to do is to put more forces in so that we can turn the tide faster," she told BBC radio. "The issue here ... is the fighting capability and the fighting willingness of all allies." In recent weeks, NATO troops have been drawn into the war with Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan and commanders on the ground have voiced concerns about troop capacity. The Taliban are now the most active since being defeated by a U.S.-led coalition in 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks by the group's al Qaeda allies. More than 2,000 people have been killed in fighting this year. General James Jones, NATO's top commander of operations has asked various countries to send their troops to Afghanistan but has had no firm response so far. However Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman ruled out any prospect of Britain sending more troops. "We have made our contribution and ... if you talk to NATO they recognize tha |
