Dutch to decide on Afghan mission in August

OTTAWA, Jun 11 (Reuters) The Netherlands will decide in August whether to extend its military mission in Afghanistan beyond August 2008, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said today.

He was addressing a news conference after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Balkenende's soldiers are operating alongside Canadian troops in the south of the country.

''I obviously will not pressure the prime minister in public, but just to say that we have valued tremendously the cooperation with the Netherlands in southern Afghanistan.

They're a tremendous partner for Canada,'' Harper said.

Canada has 2,600 soldiers in Afghanistan, committed to February 2009. The Netherlands about 2,000 troops, committed to August 2008.

''We will make a decision this summer, in August, if we can continue, and if yes, how,'' Balkenende said.

REUTERS DS HT2315