NATO to feel heat on Afghanistan at Istanbul conference

[dArKeR]

AFP , BRUSSELS
Wednesday, Jun 23, 2004,Page 6

NATO leaders head for Istanbul next week hoping to avoid new splits over Iraq, amid simmering discord over calls for it to play a larger role there at a time when it is already stretched in Afghanistan.

US-led pressure for the Alliance to do more in Iraq comes as it battles to meet its commitments to extend a peacekeeping force beyond the Afghan capital Kabul, to help secure the country ahead of planned September elections.

In Istanbul next Monday and Tuesday, NATO is expected to declare itself ready to fulfill those pledges -- specifically to set up five Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in northern Afghanistan, as well as sending reinforcements for the polls.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/06/23/2003176196

[physioex]

1. I have to agree...

We have failed to bring about reforms and changes in Afghanistan. History keeps repeating...

[MattNC]

3. agree as well

For all the talk of trying to further "internationalize" Iraq, we forget that it needs to be done just as much in Afghanistan as well. I've been disappointed that Iraq has polarized the international community to such an extent that countries such as Afghanistan feel its effects. It was really looking like a few months after 9/11 that the Afghan people were finally on the road to having a better life for the first time in decades, but obviously that hasn't been the case. Thanks Dubya.

[CHIMO]

2. There Is No Split Over Iraq

Iraq never attacked any of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization members.
NATO has no reason to be there.
The only international body that has any claim to be there is the UN.