Troop shortfalls hurt Afghan mission, says NATO

OTTAWA, Sep 6 (Reuters) NATO operations in Afghanistan are being hampered by a shortage of troops and the alliance is continually pressing member nations to live up to their commitments, a senior NATO official said today.

Recent reports published in US and Canadian newspapers say that, in some cases, NATO soldiers have expelled Taliban militants from regions only to see them return once the western forces leave.

NATO is committed to staying in Afghanistan until the Afghan army and police are strong enough to maintain order themselves.

''We are aware of instances where we have not had sufficient troops in a particular region ... to maintain those aims,'' said General Ray Henault, chairman of NATO's military committee.

Canada and Britain, whose troops are fighting the Taliban in the south, complain that other NATO members are not committing enough forces to Afghanistan.

They are also unhappy that some nations impose limits, or caveats, on what their soldiers can do.

Henault said the shortages were ''very keenly debated'' at the top levels of NATO.

''We remind nations ... on a continuous basis of the responsibility that (they) have, after having signed up to the Afghan mission ... to provide the capabilities that are needed by the commander to do his job on the ground,'' said Henault.

''Shortfalls do create additional risks and we try to reduce those as much as possible,'' he told reporters at Ottawa airport. ''We also encourage nations to reduce their limitations on troop movements ... Canada has no caveats and so that's quite commendable.'' The military committee -- which comprises the chiefs of defense staff of all 26 NATO members -- will meet in the western Canadian city of Victoria, British Columbia, tomorrow and Saturday.

Canada has 2,500 troops in the southern city of Kandahar on a combat mission that is due to end in early 2009. So far, 70 soldiers have been killed and polls show Canadians are divided over the mission.

The minority Conservative government says it will not keep troops in Afghanistan for longer than planned without unanimous support in Parliament. All three opposition parties are against the idea of extending the mission.

''It's very important for us to ... remind all countries that this is a long-term mission,'' said Henault. ''We're certainly hopeful that Canada will find a way to continue operating in Afghanistan.'' He had similar words of encouragement for the Dutch government, which is due to decide soon on its 2,000-strong mission once the force's mandate runs out in August 2008.

Henault said no one in NATO knew how long the overall Afghan mission would last.

''Our responsibility in Afghanistan is to stay the course with the Alliance members and their partners ... to go as long as possible to satisfy the requirements of what we have signed up (for),'' he said.

REUTERS PBB KP0358