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| Clinton lauds Nato Afghan pledge | Clinton lauds Nato Afghan pledge |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has welcomed a pledge by Nato allies to send at least 7,000 extra troops to support the US surge in Afghanistan. | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has welcomed a pledge by Nato allies to send at least 7,000 extra troops to support the US surge in Afghanistan. |
| She said beating the Taliban insurgency there was a "crucial test" for Nato. | She said beating the Taliban insurgency there was a "crucial test" for Nato. |
| She spoke in Brussels after talks with Nato foreign ministers and other partners with forces in Afghanistan. | She spoke in Brussels after talks with Nato foreign ministers and other partners with forces in Afghanistan. |
| Nato's top official, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said at least 25 countries had promised more forces in 2010, providing at least 7,000 more troops. | Nato's top official, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said at least 25 countries had promised more forces in 2010, providing at least 7,000 more troops. |
| He suggested there would be "more [troops] to come" over and above that number once other nations had reached decisions on deployments. | He suggested there would be "more [troops] to come" over and above that number once other nations had reached decisions on deployments. |
| The US has called on allies among the 43 nations with troops in Afghanistan to send about 10,000 extra soldiers. | The US has called on allies among the 43 nations with troops in Afghanistan to send about 10,000 extra soldiers. |
| Some major countries are holding back, however. France and Germany, for instance, have not yet committed themselves to sending extra troops. | Some major countries are holding back, however. France and Germany, for instance, have not yet committed themselves to sending extra troops. |
| 'Lives and treasure' | 'Lives and treasure' |
| Mrs Clinton welcomed what she described as a "significant commitment" by Nato allies, saying she was extremely heartened by their positive response. | Mrs Clinton welcomed what she described as a "significant commitment" by Nato allies, saying she was extremely heartened by their positive response. |
| AFGHANISTAN SURGE US calling for about 10,000 extra foreign troopsNato expects 7,000 troops from 25 of 43 nations in AfghanistanNot all have gone public with their intentionsBritain has pledged extra 500; Italy "about 1,000"; Poland 600; Portugal 150; Spain 200; Slovakia 250; Macedonia 80Non-Nato member Georgia sending 900, South Korea 500France still considering response; Germany may delay decision until January 2010 Italy 'to boost Afghan mission' US doubts and hopes Will more US troops change things? | AFGHANISTAN SURGE US calling for about 10,000 extra foreign troopsNato expects 7,000 troops from 25 of 43 nations in AfghanistanNot all have gone public with their intentionsBritain has pledged extra 500; Italy "about 1,000"; Poland 600; Portugal 150; Spain 200; Slovakia 250; Macedonia 80Non-Nato member Georgia sending 900, South Korea 500France still considering response; Germany may delay decision until January 2010 Italy 'to boost Afghan mission' US doubts and hopes Will more US troops change things? |
| "This is a crucial test for NATO, which has been the greatest and most successful military alliance in history," she said. | |
| "It is crucial that we remain firm in our resolve and see this mission through." | |
| She also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Nato allies "in lives and treasure", as they promised military forces and civilian resources to back the new US Afghan strategy. | |
| Earlier this week, US President Barack Obama announced he was sending an additional 30,000 troops to help battle the Taliban insurgency. | Earlier this week, US President Barack Obama announced he was sending an additional 30,000 troops to help battle the Taliban insurgency. |
| Speaking earlier in the day Mrs Clinton had said the need for additional forces was "urgent, but their presence will not be indefinite". | Speaking earlier in the day Mrs Clinton had said the need for additional forces was "urgent, but their presence will not be indefinite". |
| However, she stressed that the US would continue to provide civilian assistance to Afghanistan long after the military mission ended, saying the US and its allies had an "enduring commitment" to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the region. | |
| Speaking to the BBC in Washington, US National Security Adviser Gen James Jones echoed that message, saying the US did not intend to withdraw fully from Afghanistan in 2011 - the date set by Mr Obama for troops to start pulling out - and leave Afghans to their fate. | |
| Rasmussen: 'We can succeed' | |
| Mr Rasmussen told delegates at Nato HQ that the coming year would "see a new momentum in this mission". | Mr Rasmussen told delegates at Nato HQ that the coming year would "see a new momentum in this mission". |
| The BBC's Nick Childs, in Brussels, says the main thrust of Mr Rasmussen's speech was to insist on a message of solidarity, despite the challenges, and of unity behind the mission. | The BBC's Nick Childs, in Brussels, says the main thrust of Mr Rasmussen's speech was to insist on a message of solidarity, despite the challenges, and of unity behind the mission. |
| "In addition to the clear pledges already tabled, we have heard indications... that other allies and partners will probably be in a position to announce contributions in the coming weeks and months," Mr Rasmussen said. | "In addition to the clear pledges already tabled, we have heard indications... that other allies and partners will probably be in a position to announce contributions in the coming weeks and months," Mr Rasmussen said. |
| "Isaf [International Security Assistance Force] will have at least 37,000 more soldiers in 2010 than it did this year. That is solidarity in action." | "Isaf [International Security Assistance Force] will have at least 37,000 more soldiers in 2010 than it did this year. That is solidarity in action." |
| Meanwhile more than 1,000 Nato soldiers, most of them from the US, as well as Afghan troops, launched a major offensive in southern Afghanistan on Friday. | Meanwhile more than 1,000 Nato soldiers, most of them from the US, as well as Afghan troops, launched a major offensive in southern Afghanistan on Friday. |
| A US military spokesman said Operation Cobra's Anger in the northern part of Helmand province was aimed at cutting off insurgent supply and communication lines. | A US military spokesman said Operation Cobra's Anger in the northern part of Helmand province was aimed at cutting off insurgent supply and communication lines. |
| Warning for Kabul | Warning for Kabul |
| But many Nato governments face publics even more sceptical about the mission than those of the US and Britain. | But many Nato governments face publics even more sceptical about the mission than those of the US and Britain. |
| Italy has promised to send about 1,000 more troops to Afghanistan | |
| Even if more public announcements are forthcoming, turning these into firm pledges of the right troops at the right time and for the right missions may take longer, our correspondent adds. | Even if more public announcements are forthcoming, turning these into firm pledges of the right troops at the right time and for the right missions may take longer, our correspondent adds. |
| Mr Rasmussen said several countries had pledged additional funds for development assistance as part of the mission's new approach in providing basic services to benefit the local people in Afghanistan. | Mr Rasmussen said several countries had pledged additional funds for development assistance as part of the mission's new approach in providing basic services to benefit the local people in Afghanistan. |
| But he warned that Kabul had to play its part in the reconstruction process. | But he warned that Kabul had to play its part in the reconstruction process. |
| "None of these initiatives are of any use if it is not backed up by good governance, efficient governance in Afghanistan, including a determined fight against corruption, a determined fight against the drug trade," he said. | "None of these initiatives are of any use if it is not backed up by good governance, efficient governance in Afghanistan, including a determined fight against corruption, a determined fight against the drug trade," he said. |
| "So the international community stands ready to assist Afghanistan in promoting economic and social development but it also takes a strong effort from the Afghan people and not least the Afghan government." | "So the international community stands ready to assist Afghanistan in promoting economic and social development but it also takes a strong effort from the Afghan people and not least the Afghan government." |