Row over Nato in Afghanistan worsens

Last Modified: 07 Feb 2008
By: Nick Paton Walsh

A row over Nato in Afghanistan worsened as the military alliance chief denied US claims that members don't want troops to "die" for victory.

More pressure was put on reluctant allies in an unannounced visit to Afghanistan by Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

But their attempts to persuade Nato members to share the burden in southern Afghanistan have failed to come up with any firm offers of more troops.

But as Channel 4 News has learned, Gordon Brown has set his own limits on troops to be deployed there.

Washington and London are openly trying to coerce other Nato countries into joining what could become a losing battle in the south of Afghanistan.

There was a show of support in Kandahar today from Condoleezza Rice and David Miliband for troops engaging a resurgent Taliban.

Miliband said: "Winning here in Afghanistan so that there cannot be the attacks against our cities and against our people that originated here, that's the core of the modern fight. And it's a tough fight and it's a long fight. As the debate hots up in our countries about what you're doing and the difference you're making, we'll be defending you heart and soul."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's lacklustre government is the least of the problems of an alliance now openly bickering over whose troops should be where.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates seeming almost exasperated at how little his stern words to Nato allies had achieved ahead of this meeting in Vilnius.

Gates said: "No, I don't think it's a failure. I think it's a disappointment. But the truth is a number of Nato countries have stepped up."

There are 26,000 American troops in Afghanistan, to be joined by 3,000 more marines. But they'll leave in September.

Canada's 2500 troops will leave unless Nato finds another 1,000 soldiers.

The French have said they might send about 1,000 more troops but haven't specified where they will send them to.

Germany has resisted pressure to move its 3,200 troops into the south but will send 200 more.

Britain has 7,800 troops there, which is close to an upper limit of 8,500 that Channel 4 News has learned has been set by Gordon Brown. But Number 10 denied today any such limit exists.

The Ministry of Defence added they're reviewing numbers and could send hundreds more.

James Arbuthnot, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, said: "To limit the freedom of manoeuvre of the armed forces, the British Armed forces, is dangerous and as I say, I am concerned."

Nato's commander in Afghanistan, General Dan McNeill, said yesterday that Britain would "probably" send more troops.

But as the violence mounts even after six years of occupation, it's doubtful if anyone really can or wants to send enough.