NATO set for early takeover of Afghan peacekeeping

Portoroz (Slovenia), Sep 28: NATO defence chiefs were set today to agree to assume command of peacekeeping across all of Afghanistan ''as soon as is practicable'' despite worsening violence there, diplomats said.

The move into eastern Afghanistan, the only area not yet covered by NATO, could take effect as early as next month because it would largely involve placing under NATO command some 10,000 mostly US troops already based in the region.

The step, initially expected only by the end of the year, is expected to be announced at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in the Slovenian coastal resort of Portoroz, the diplomats said.

The takeover is seen putting more forces at the disposal of NATO commanders who complain of troop and equipment shortages in their battles against resurgent Taliban guerrillas.

''We are talking quick -- a matter of weeks. I would expect a signal on it from Portoroz,'' said one alliance source who sought anonymity because no decision had yet been formalised.

Afghanistan is experiencing the most serious violence since the hardline Taliban Islamists were ousted in 2001, and NATO knows its credibility as a genuine fighting force is at stake in what is the toughest combat in its 57-year history.

Nearly 140 foreign troops, most of them American, British and Canadian, have been killed in fighting or accidents during operations since January, and NATO has acknowledged it underestimated the scale of Taliban resistance.

More Troops needed

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has just over 20,000 troops from 37 countries operating in the capital Kabul, north, west and south.

The US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) coalition has a similar number. Some US forces will remain outside ISAF command to mount search-and-destroy missions against major Taliban and al Qaeda targets.

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is expected to lead calls for allies to respond quickly to a call by commanders for up to 2,500 extra troops, more helicopters and transport aircraft to help British, Canadian and Dutch troops experiencing the worst of the violence in the south.

Poland has offered 1,000 troops to be deployed by next February, and Romania is expected to offer a similar number.

But large western European nations including France, Germany, Italy and Spain have all declined to send troops to the south, saying their armed forces are at full stretch elsewhere.

''A number of allies have stepped forward,'' a US government official said.

''I think we will still probably have some more holes but we're hopeful that the meeting will provide energy and focus to keep going with that,'' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Reuters