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Afghan force 'needs more troops' Afghan force 'needs more troops'
(about 2 hours later)
Nato's top commander, General James Jones, has urged member countries to provide reinforcements to the mission in southern Afghanistan.Nato's top commander, General James Jones, has urged member countries to provide reinforcements to the mission in southern Afghanistan.
He admitted the military alliance had been taken aback by the extent of violence in the region.He admitted the military alliance had been taken aback by the extent of violence in the region.
But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against Islamist Taleban guerrillas.But he predicted that the coming weeks would be decisive in the fight against Islamist Taleban guerrillas.
Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said.Commanders on the ground had asked for several hundred additional troops and more helicopters and airlift, he said.
"We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium."We are talking about modest reinforcements," he told reporters at Nato European headquarters in Belgium.
We should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics General James Jones Send us your commentsWe should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics General James Jones Send us your comments
Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission to the south a month ago.Several Nato soldiers, most of them British or Canadian, have been killed in fierce fighting with Taleban guerrillas since the alliance extended its peacekeeping mission to the south a month ago.
Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US.Nato troops took over leadership of military operations in the region from the US.
Gen Jones is due to meet generals from the 26 Nato nations this weekend in Warsaw, Poland.Gen Jones is due to meet generals from the 26 Nato nations this weekend in Warsaw, Poland.
The US marine general said he would initially ask for reinforcements from existing contributors to the 37-nation International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), including Germany, which has several thousand troops in the calmer north of the country.The US marine general said he would initially ask for reinforcements from existing contributors to the 37-nation International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), including Germany, which has several thousand troops in the calmer north of the country.
'Before winter' Urgently needed
He told reporters that Nato forces had expected some opposition in southern Afghanistan, but added: "We should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics." Gen Jones told reporters that Nato forces had expected some opposition in southern Afghanistan, but added: "We should recognise we are a little bit surprised at the level of intensity, and that the opposition in some areas are not relying on traditional hit-and-run tactics."
Quick guide: Afghanistan Who are the militants?
However, he said he was confident the situation could be contained relatively quickly.However, he said he was confident the situation could be contained relatively quickly.
"It is my feeling that... certainly before the winter, we will see this decisive moment in the region turn favourably to the forces that represent the (Afghan) government and the efforts we are trying to achieve.""It is my feeling that... certainly before the winter, we will see this decisive moment in the region turn favourably to the forces that represent the (Afghan) government and the efforts we are trying to achieve."
He said reinforcements "will help us reduce casualties and help us bring this to a successful conclusion in a shorter period of time".He said reinforcements "will help us reduce casualties and help us bring this to a successful conclusion in a shorter period of time".
The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when it was toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington. BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the general's comments are a blunt recognition that Nato commanders on the ground do not have the resources they need.
Many analysts believe that there were serious shortcomings in the intelligence assessments that established the initial mission, and that harder fighting was to be expected.
What is urgently needed, our correspondent says, is a battle group of several hundred men with its own reconnaissance and support elements which would give commanders the flexibility they say they need.
But even if this reinforcement is forthcoming, many analysts are still sceptical that Nato can achieve its wider goals in Afghanistan, our correspondent adds.
'Common enemy'
The Taleban ruled Afghanistan until late 2001 when they were toppled by US-led forces in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.
The Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, on Thursday acknowledged that al-Qaeda and Taleban militants continue to cross from Pakistan into Afghanistan to launch attacks.
But the president - wrapping up a two-day visit to Afghanistan - denied allegations that Pakistan's powerful military Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was helping them.
"You blame us for what is happening in Afghanistan," he said in a speech to the Afghan government and army officials at the Foreign Ministry in Kabul.
"But let me say neither the government of Pakistan nor the ISI is involved in any kind of interference inside Afghanistan."
The president's speech came a day after he and Afghan President Hamid Karzai resolved to co-operate to fight the "common enemy" of terrorism and extremism.