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US to boost Afghan troops and aid | US to boost Afghan troops and aid |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The United States is planning to boost its spending in Afghanistan and says it is bolstering its military commitment to the country. | The United States is planning to boost its spending in Afghanistan and says it is bolstering its military commitment to the country. |
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said President Bush would ask Congress for an extra $10.6bn to fund security and development in Afghanistan. | Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said President Bush would ask Congress for an extra $10.6bn to fund security and development in Afghanistan. |
Ms Rice made the announcement on the eve of a Nato meeting on Afghanistan in Brussels, which she is due to attend. | Ms Rice made the announcement on the eve of a Nato meeting on Afghanistan in Brussels, which she is due to attend. |
Earlier the Pentagon said thousands of US forces would stay on in Afghanistan. | Earlier the Pentagon said thousands of US forces would stay on in Afghanistan. |
It said 3,200 men of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division would remain in the country for an extra four months after their tour of duty is meant to end. | It said 3,200 men of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division would remain in the country for an extra four months after their tour of duty is meant to end. |
It comes amid expectations that the Taleban will try to mount a spring offensive. | It comes amid expectations that the Taleban will try to mount a spring offensive. |
The BBC's Rob Watson in Brussels says this latest push by Washington is motivated in part by a desire to show its Nato allies it is not abandoning Afghanistan despite its troubles in Iraq. | The BBC's Rob Watson in Brussels says this latest push by Washington is motivated in part by a desire to show its Nato allies it is not abandoning Afghanistan despite its troubles in Iraq. |
But, he adds, the US is also genuinely worried that Afghanistan could slip backwards without more commitment from the international community. | But, he adds, the US is also genuinely worried that Afghanistan could slip backwards without more commitment from the international community. |
Rice plea | Rice plea |
On her way to Brussels, Ms Rice told reporters $8.6bn of the extra money would be spent on security, including training and equipping Afghan forces, while $2bn would go towards reconstruction. | |
We want to and we should redouble our efforts Condoleezza RiceUS secretary of state The money would be spent over the next two years. | We want to and we should redouble our efforts Condoleezza RiceUS secretary of state The money would be spent over the next two years. |
At the Brussels summit, Ms Rice will also press other Nato nations to do more in Afghanistan. | At the Brussels summit, Ms Rice will also press other Nato nations to do more in Afghanistan. |
Our correspondent says the hastily arranged meeting of Nato foreign ministers was called for by Ms Rice to press the point home. | Our correspondent says the hastily arranged meeting of Nato foreign ministers was called for by Ms Rice to press the point home. |
"The challenges of the last several months have demonstrated that we want to, and we should, redouble our efforts" in Afghanistan, she said. | |
The US has already committed some $14.2bn in aid to Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion which toppled the ruling Taleban regime. | The US has already committed some $14.2bn in aid to Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion which toppled the ruling Taleban regime. |
'Maintaining initiative' | 'Maintaining initiative' |
The aid plan for Afghanistan was unveiled as the US stepped up its military commitment to the country. | The aid plan for Afghanistan was unveiled as the US stepped up its military commitment to the country. |
The Pentagon said keeping the troops on would enable Nato to "maintain the initiative and build upon the success achieved in promoting stability and security". | The Pentagon said keeping the troops on would enable Nato to "maintain the initiative and build upon the success achieved in promoting stability and security". |
It comes only days after the Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen David Richards, told a British newspaper he had "less troops than needed" to complete his task. | It comes only days after the Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen David Richards, told a British newspaper he had "less troops than needed" to complete his task. |
There are currently 24,000 US troops in the country, which make up the bulk of the foreign military presence. | There are currently 24,000 US troops in the country, which make up the bulk of the foreign military presence. |
Nato commanders have said their forces were around 10% under strength due to some nations failing to make good on pledges to provide more troops. | Nato commanders have said their forces were around 10% under strength due to some nations failing to make good on pledges to provide more troops. |
Just under half the US force are part of the 31,000-strong Nato peacekeeping command - the rest are on a separate mission to hunt down al-Qaeda fighters. | Just under half the US force are part of the 31,000-strong Nato peacekeeping command - the rest are on a separate mission to hunt down al-Qaeda fighters. |