NATO members reluctant to flow more troops to Afghanistan

According to DD India, two NATO members said on Friday they will not send more troops to Afghanistan unless its 7th Nov presidential runoff creates a legitimate government and until President Barack Obama decides on a new strategy there.

Dutch Defence Minister Eimert Van Middelkoop said his country, with 2,160 troops in Afghanistan, is awaiting the final election results "because the legitimacy of the Afghan government is key," as well as a decision by the Obama administration.

"I think most countries are waiting for the American decisions," van Middelkoop said at a meeting in Bratislava of the defence ministers of the 28 NATO countries.

The top US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrytal, was briefing NATO ministers including US Defence Minister Robert Gates on his view of the war in Afghanistan at the meeting.

Danish Defence Minister Soeren Gade said allies won't increase troop levels until they're assured the new government in
Kabul is committed to the NATO goals.

"I think whoever is going to send more troops to Afghanistan will put up some conditions," said Gade, whose country has 690 soldiers in Afghanistan.

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