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US not to decrease in Afghanistan
US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said the United States would maintain a forceful military presence in Afghanistan despite pressure to free up forces stretched by the insurgency in Iraq. European allies rejected his suggestion that NATO take on counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan.âUS forces will of course continue to play a strong role,â Rumsfeld said after a meeting of NATO defense ministers on Wednesday. Rumsfeld said he was satisfied with plans by NATO allies to expand its 11,000-strong Afghan peacekeeping mission next year with more European and Canadian troops, a move that could free up thousands of US soldiers. But Germany and France made clear that they would not allow the NATO force to become embroiled in offensive combat, leaving the separate, US-dominated coalition force of 19,000 to pursue the counterinsurgency against Taleban and Al Qaeda holdouts. They also opposed talk of merging the two operations, although NATO officials said they expected agreement on a proposal to bring the two missions under a single commander. Rumsfeld spoke amid speculation that the United States is planning major reductions of its 18,000-strong contingent in Afghanistan as NATO expands. The New York Times and The Washington Post reported in Thursdayâs editions that the Bush administration was considering cutting troop strength there by as much as 20 percent by early 2006. Rumsfeld declined to discuss specifics. âIf and when thereâs any decision to decrease forces, I will announce it,â he said tersely. NATO diplomats have suggested that the US could reduce its contribution to multinational military operations in Afghanistan from over half to about a quarter. Rumsfeld on Tuesday suggested NATO will eventually be able to take over counterterrorism operations there. âOver time it would be nice if NATO would develop counterterrorist capabilities which donât exist at the current time,â he said. âThat probably will be the last piece they take.â He acknowledged it will be a difficult task and did not suggest a timetable. Germany, France and other allies have sent combat forces to serve with the US-led mission known as Operation Enduring Freedom, since it was launched to Reid said. âWe have to be prepared to use military means to combat insurgency or tackle the narcotics trade.â Posted by: Dan Darling 2005-09-15 |
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