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Nato tackles Afghan troop deficit No response to Nato troops call
(about 1 hour later)
Nato states are meeting in Belgium to discuss who will provide 2,500 troops requested by international force commanders in Afghanistan. No formal offer has been made by Nato states in response to requests by commanders in Afghanistan for 2,500 extra troops, Nato says.
The International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) is fighting intense battles in the south of the country but says it needs more resources. Members are meeting in Belgium amid pressure from the International Security Assistance Force, which is fighting in southern Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier warned that Afghanistan was at risk of becoming a "failed state".US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier warned that Afghanistan was at risk of becoming a "failed state".
Differing rules of engagement between Nato states are creating difficulties.Differing rules of engagement between Nato states are creating difficulties.
"No formal offer was made at the meeting," spokesman James Appathurai told a news briefing.
However, he said there were "positive indications" that some allies might consider providing additional forces, Reuters news agency reported.
There are at least 18,500 foreign, mainly Nato soldiers in Afghanistan in addition to about the same number of US troops deployed.There are at least 18,500 foreign, mainly Nato soldiers in Afghanistan in addition to about the same number of US troops deployed.
Half of them are in the south where Canadian and British forces are sharing the burden with US aircraft support and special forces on the ground.Half of them are in the south where Canadian and British forces are sharing the burden with US aircraft support and special forces on the ground.
In the latest violence, Afghan police say they killed 16 Taleban fighters in a fierce gun battle overnight in Helmand province.In the latest violence, Afghan police say they killed 16 Taleban fighters in a fierce gun battle overnight in Helmand province.
Differing rulesDiffering rules
The Dutch, Australians and Estonians are also in southern Afghanistan but many other countries are reluctant to commit troops to what is currently the most dangerous part of the mission, the BBC's Alastair Leithead reports from Kabul.The Dutch, Australians and Estonians are also in southern Afghanistan but many other countries are reluctant to commit troops to what is currently the most dangerous part of the mission, the BBC's Alastair Leithead reports from Kabul.
ISAF TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN Total Isaf troops - 18,500Contributing nations - 37Isaf - International Security Assistance Force*A further 18,000 non-Isaf, US-led troops also in country Regional press concern Send us your commentsISAF TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN Total Isaf troops - 18,500Contributing nations - 37Isaf - International Security Assistance Force*A further 18,000 non-Isaf, US-led troops also in country Regional press concern Send us your comments
UK Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said he had spoken to the commander of Isaf in Afghanistan, Lt Gen David Richards, and it was clear they needed back-up.UK Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said he had spoken to the commander of Isaf in Afghanistan, Lt Gen David Richards, and it was clear they needed back-up.
"We need Nato to be pulling its weight. They need to put more resources in there and we need help," he told a specially-convened session of the UK Foreign Affairs Select Committee."We need Nato to be pulling its weight. They need to put more resources in there and we need help," he told a specially-convened session of the UK Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was of "fundamental importance" to security that the "the job in Afghanistan is done properly".UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was of "fundamental importance" to security that the "the job in Afghanistan is done properly".
"We should never forget that the reason why our troops are in Afghanistan, along with other Nato countries, is because out of Afghanistan came the terrorism of 9/11," he said."We should never forget that the reason why our troops are in Afghanistan, along with other Nato countries, is because out of Afghanistan came the terrorism of 9/11," he said.
Germany has thousands of troops in northern Afghanistan but its rules prevent soldiers from moving south.Germany has thousands of troops in northern Afghanistan but its rules prevent soldiers from moving south.
While Nato countries agree reinforcements are necessary, the issue of who will provide them has yet to be decided.While Nato countries agree reinforcements are necessary, the issue of who will provide them has yet to be decided.
All nations are represented at the meeting in Mons, near Brussels, and Nato's Supreme Command will solicit offers. All nations are represented at the meeting in Mons, near Brussels, and Nato's Supreme Command was to solicit offers.
However, there is a fear in Kabul that they will not garner enough support for the force that has been requested, our Kabul correspondent adds.
"At the moment there's no indication of any substantive offers," an unnamed senior US official told the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"The signs are that the conference will not produce what is needed."
Vacuum fearsVacuum fears
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Afghanistan's strategic position meant it risked becoming a haven for militant groups.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Afghanistan's strategic position meant it risked becoming a haven for militant groups.
Referring to a US decision to leave the country after the withdrawal of the Soviet Union in 1989, Ms Rice said, "We all came to pay for that."Referring to a US decision to leave the country after the withdrawal of the Soviet Union in 1989, Ms Rice said, "We all came to pay for that."
Speaking in Canada, she explained that the US should learn its lessons from Afghanistan.Speaking in Canada, she explained that the US should learn its lessons from Afghanistan.
"If you allow that kind of vacuum, if you allow a failed state in that strategic location, you're going to pay for it," she said."If you allow that kind of vacuum, if you allow a failed state in that strategic location, you're going to pay for it," she said.
Last month, Nato commanders took over from US-led coalition forces but there has been a resurgence of Taleban attacks, above all in the south.Last month, Nato commanders took over from US-led coalition forces but there has been a resurgence of Taleban attacks, above all in the south.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has warned that the Taleban are now more of a threat to the region's security than Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has warned that the Taleban are now more of a threat to the region's security than Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.
"The centre of gravity of terrorism has shifted from al-Qaeda to [the] Taleban," he told European parliamentarians in Brussels."The centre of gravity of terrorism has shifted from al-Qaeda to [the] Taleban," he told European parliamentarians in Brussels.
He said a reinvigorated Taleban was particularly dangerous as, unlike al-Qaeda, it had its roots in the Afghan people.He said a reinvigorated Taleban was particularly dangerous as, unlike al-Qaeda, it had its roots in the Afghan people.