From: EurasiaDigest (digest@eurasianet.org)
Date: Wed Feb 01 2006 - 11:36:39 EST
AFGHANISTAN URGES NETHERLANDS TO APPROVE TROOPS
Afghan officials visiting The Hague called on the Netherlands to contribute troops for NATO's planned expansion of activities in southern Afghanistan, AP reported on 30 January. Dutch policymakers have wavered over their December decision to send up to 1,400 troops as part of an expanded NATO force in Afghanistan, where U.S. troops are withdrawing as the neo-Taliban insurgency is picking up. Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, addressing the Dutch parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, said Afghanistan is making progress in terms of stability but still needs help. "You should be proud of your contribution because it is a success story," said Abdullah, who pleaded for further Dutch support of NATO operations. "But the story is not over." Abdullah stopped in The Hague on his way to London's two-day donor conference on Afghanistan. MR
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