The U.S. Military commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal speaks to the Defense Minister of Afghanistan General Abdul Rahim Wardak (L) before the ISAF working lunch event at the Informal Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Bratislava October 23, 2009.
Despite clear indications from two key members of the coalition that reinforcements to the international force in Afghanistan will have to await a successful conclusion of the country's disputed presidential election, Mr Ainsworth said the summit had reassured him that Nato was working "in the right direction" on shared aims.
He said Britain would continue to work with its partners to ensure that sufficient military and civilian resources are provided to the Nato-led International Security and Assistance Force (Isaf).
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said that some allies had indicated to him that they are thinking about increasing either their military or civilian contributions to the force. He stressed that he did not seek specific promises of military assistance at the summit in the Slovak city, where Nato defence ministers were briefed by the top US military commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week said the UK had agreed "in principle" to boost its deployment in Afghanistan by 500 troops to 9,500 as part of a coalition-wide deployment with each ally bearing its "fair share".
The Netherlands and Denmark each indicated that they will be willing to send more troops only after the creation of a legitimate government in Kabul and the announcement by US President Barack Obama of a new American strategy. Dutch Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop said his country, which has 2,160 troops in Afghanistan, is awaiting the final election results "because the legitimacy of the Afghan government is key". He added: "I think most countries are waiting for the American decisions."
Danish Defence Minister Soeren Gade said allies will not increase troop levels until they are assured the new government in Kabul is committed to the international effort.
"I think whoever is going to send more troops to Afghanistan will put up some conditions," said Mr Gade, whose country has 690 soldiers in Afghanistan.
"They need to see the new Afghan president and say 'If we send more troops to your country, you have to deal with this, this and this'. We have to make sure the new government in Afghanistan are committed to their job before we send any more troops to Afghanistan."
A second round of voting on November 7 will pitch sitting President Hamid Karzai against main rival Abdullah Abdullah, after Karzai accepted earlier this week that he had secured less that the required 50% in a first round marred by widespread fraud.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
DTN News: NATO Today October 24, 2009 ~ Nato 'Determined' Over Afghanistan
DTN News: NATO Today October 24, 2009 ~ Nato 'Determined' Over Afghanistan
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - October 24, 2009: Nato countries are showing "new determination to see the mission through" in Afghanistan, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said after the allies met for a summit in Bratislava.The U.S. Military commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal speaks to the Defense Minister of Afghanistan General Abdul Rahim Wardak (L) before the ISAF working lunch event at the Informal Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Bratislava October 23, 2009.
Despite clear indications from two key members of the coalition that reinforcements to the international force in Afghanistan will have to await a successful conclusion of the country's disputed presidential election, Mr Ainsworth said the summit had reassured him that Nato was working "in the right direction" on shared aims.
He said Britain would continue to work with its partners to ensure that sufficient military and civilian resources are provided to the Nato-led International Security and Assistance Force (Isaf).
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said that some allies had indicated to him that they are thinking about increasing either their military or civilian contributions to the force. He stressed that he did not seek specific promises of military assistance at the summit in the Slovak city, where Nato defence ministers were briefed by the top US military commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week said the UK had agreed "in principle" to boost its deployment in Afghanistan by 500 troops to 9,500 as part of a coalition-wide deployment with each ally bearing its "fair share".
The Netherlands and Denmark each indicated that they will be willing to send more troops only after the creation of a legitimate government in Kabul and the announcement by US President Barack Obama of a new American strategy. Dutch Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop said his country, which has 2,160 troops in Afghanistan, is awaiting the final election results "because the legitimacy of the Afghan government is key". He added: "I think most countries are waiting for the American decisions."
Danish Defence Minister Soeren Gade said allies will not increase troop levels until they are assured the new government in Kabul is committed to the international effort.
"I think whoever is going to send more troops to Afghanistan will put up some conditions," said Mr Gade, whose country has 690 soldiers in Afghanistan.
"They need to see the new Afghan president and say 'If we send more troops to your country, you have to deal with this, this and this'. We have to make sure the new government in Afghanistan are committed to their job before we send any more troops to Afghanistan."
A second round of voting on November 7 will pitch sitting President Hamid Karzai against main rival Abdullah Abdullah, after Karzai accepted earlier this week that he had secured less that the required 50% in a first round marred by widespread fraud.
The U.S. Military commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal speaks to the Defense Minister of Afghanistan General Abdul Rahim Wardak (L) before the ISAF working lunch event at the Informal Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Bratislava October 23, 2009.
Despite clear indications from two key members of the coalition that reinforcements to the international force in Afghanistan will have to await a successful conclusion of the country's disputed presidential election, Mr Ainsworth said the summit had reassured him that Nato was working "in the right direction" on shared aims.
He said Britain would continue to work with its partners to ensure that sufficient military and civilian resources are provided to the Nato-led International Security and Assistance Force (Isaf).
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said that some allies had indicated to him that they are thinking about increasing either their military or civilian contributions to the force. He stressed that he did not seek specific promises of military assistance at the summit in the Slovak city, where Nato defence ministers were briefed by the top US military commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week said the UK had agreed "in principle" to boost its deployment in Afghanistan by 500 troops to 9,500 as part of a coalition-wide deployment with each ally bearing its "fair share".
The Netherlands and Denmark each indicated that they will be willing to send more troops only after the creation of a legitimate government in Kabul and the announcement by US President Barack Obama of a new American strategy. Dutch Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop said his country, which has 2,160 troops in Afghanistan, is awaiting the final election results "because the legitimacy of the Afghan government is key". He added: "I think most countries are waiting for the American decisions."
Danish Defence Minister Soeren Gade said allies will not increase troop levels until they are assured the new government in Kabul is committed to the international effort.
"I think whoever is going to send more troops to Afghanistan will put up some conditions," said Mr Gade, whose country has 690 soldiers in Afghanistan.
"They need to see the new Afghan president and say 'If we send more troops to your country, you have to deal with this, this and this'. We have to make sure the new government in Afghanistan are committed to their job before we send any more troops to Afghanistan."
A second round of voting on November 7 will pitch sitting President Hamid Karzai against main rival Abdullah Abdullah, after Karzai accepted earlier this week that he had secured less that the required 50% in a first round marred by widespread fraud.
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