NATO unveils 'strategic vision' for Afghanistan

by amyjudd | April 3, 2008 at 01:42 pm | 244 views | add comment

FM Milososki's statement regarding missed NATO invitation

This is good news for Canada's forces fighting in Afghanistan.
NATO leaders meeting in Bucharest today are now preparing to release a document outlining their 'strategic vision' for Afghanistan.
More troops are needed in Afghanistan to help resolve the confict issues there.

The four-page text was expected to call on the 26 NATO members and on the 14 non-NATO countries which contribute forces to the UN- mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to maintain a "shared long-term commitment" in Afghanistan.

According to the document's draft, the allies vow to support the Afghan leadership, bring together civilian and military efforts, and increase cooperation with Afghanistan's neighbours, "especially Pakistan".

The allies are also asked to ensure that they provide "maximum possible flexibility" in the use of forces by commanders on the ground ISAF and to fill remaining shortfalls.

Earlier on Thursday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged to send an additional battalion of 700 men to eastern Afghanistan.

Poland and the Czech Republic are among other NATO members that have vowed to beef up ISAF's 47,000-strong force.