NATO urges French commitment to Afghanistan
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JAN 27 -
NATO's chief called on allies Thursday to remain committed to the security transition in Afghanistan after France threatened to pull out early following the killing of four French soldiers.
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he understood French concerns after an Afghan soldier killed the unarmed troops, but he noted that NATO nations agreed on a 2014 date to withdraw combat forces and transfer security to Afghans.
"It's important to the success of the operation that we maintain a commitment to this agreed plan," Rasmussen told a news conference.
"Ultimately, of course, this is a decision for the French authorities to make, following consultations with commanders and ISAF partners," he said, referring to NATO's International Security Assistance Force.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy reacted angrily to the incident, threatening to pull his forces out of Afghanistan before 2014 if security conditions for soldiers training Afghan troops are not improved.
Several senior French officials have since stressed that the French mission in Afghanistan was not over.
But Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, who is expected to beat Sarkozy in elections in three months, pledged Thursday to withdraw French troops from Afghanistan immediately if he becomes president.
Rasmussen said the security transition was "on the right path" and that ISAF commander US General John Allen was working with Afghan leaders to improve security conditions for military trainers.
Posted on: 2012-01-27 10:16
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