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Nato debates Afghanistan strategy | Nato debates Afghanistan strategy |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Nato leaders are discussing the conflict in Afghanistan, on the second day of a summit in Romania. | Nato leaders are discussing the conflict in Afghanistan, on the second day of a summit in Romania. |
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join talks aimed at devising a strategy to stabilise the country. | Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join talks aimed at devising a strategy to stabilise the country. |
Earlier, France confirmed it would send a battalion of troops to the east of the country. | Earlier, France confirmed it would send a battalion of troops to the east of the country. |
The US said the pledge would free up some of its troops to bolster Canadian forces in the south. | The US said the pledge would free up some of its troops to bolster Canadian forces in the south. |
Canada had threatened to withdraw its contingent in Kandahar province unless other Nato countries sent reinforcements. | Canada had threatened to withdraw its contingent in Kandahar province unless other Nato countries sent reinforcements. |
Having suffered rising casualties in the south, it wants its forces to be reinforced with a 1,000-strong battle group, along with helicopters and unmanned aircraft. | Having suffered rising casualties in the south, it wants its forces to be reinforced with a 1,000-strong battle group, along with helicopters and unmanned aircraft. |
France's contribution | France's contribution |
On Thursday, President Bush and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to urge more members of the military alliance to commit troops or extra resources to the battle against the Taleban. | On Thursday, President Bush and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to urge more members of the military alliance to commit troops or extra resources to the battle against the Taleban. |
France's contribution of around 800 troops was confirmed in a speech to a session of allied leaders by President Nicolas Sarkozy. | France's contribution of around 800 troops was confirmed in a speech to a session of allied leaders by President Nicolas Sarkozy. |
Will the summit bring peace? | Will the summit bring peace? |
"I have decided to reinforce the French military presence with a battalion deployed in the eastern region," he said. | "I have decided to reinforce the French military presence with a battalion deployed in the eastern region," he said. |
But Gen Daniel McNeill, commander of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, (Isaf) has asked for as many as 10,000 more troops, in the form of two combat brigades and a brigade of trainers. | But Gen Daniel McNeill, commander of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, (Isaf) has asked for as many as 10,000 more troops, in the form of two combat brigades and a brigade of trainers. |
Isaf's numbers have risen from 33,000 troops to 47,000 in the past 15 months, in response to a resurgence from the Taleban and other militants. | Isaf's numbers have risen from 33,000 troops to 47,000 in the past 15 months, in response to a resurgence from the Taleban and other militants. |
In other developments at the summit in Romania, Nato is discussing how to maintain links with Georgia and Ukraine after indicating that it would not be offering them membership. | In other developments at the summit in Romania, Nato is discussing how to maintain links with Georgia and Ukraine after indicating that it would not be offering them membership. |
Delegates have only agreed on a closer relationship with the two states in the future. | Delegates have only agreed on a closer relationship with the two states in the future. |
President Bush had called for the two former Soviet republics to be allowed to join the alliance, but the move is opposed by Germany and France. | President Bush had called for the two former Soviet republics to be allowed to join the alliance, but the move is opposed by Germany and France. |
Map of main troop deployments | |