ID :
15403
Sat, 08/09/2008 - 08:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/15403
The shortlink copeid
US to re-structure forces in Afghanistan to counter Taliban
Dharam Shourie
New York, Aug 9 (PTI) Faced with the spiralling Taliban insurgency, the US will sanction a USD 20-billion plan to substantially expand the Afghan army and to restructure the NATO military command, Pentagon officials said.
US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates will endorse a USD 20-billion plan, initially
proposed by the Afghan government, which will double the size of the Afghan National
Army to more than 1,20,000 active-duty troops, over the period of next five years,
the New York Times Friday reported citing senior military officials.
The officials said that Gates would seek contributions from allies to help
underwrite the USD 20 billion cost over five years. Taken together,the two decisions
are an acknowledgement of shortcomings that continue to hinder NATO - and American -
led operations in Afghanistan, newspaper said.
With the war in Iraq still an obstacle to any immediate American troop increase in
Afghanistan, the plan was described by officials as an attempt to increase allied
and Afghan capabilities in advance of deploying the additional American brigades.
Under an order expected to be signed by Gates before the end of August, the paper
said, Gen David D McKiernan, the four-star Army officer who leads the 45,000-member
NATO force, would be given command of most of the 19,000 American troops who have
operated separately. The NATO force already includes about 15,000 other Americans.
PTI DS
New York, Aug 9 (PTI) Faced with the spiralling Taliban insurgency, the US will sanction a USD 20-billion plan to substantially expand the Afghan army and to restructure the NATO military command, Pentagon officials said.
US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates will endorse a USD 20-billion plan, initially
proposed by the Afghan government, which will double the size of the Afghan National
Army to more than 1,20,000 active-duty troops, over the period of next five years,
the New York Times Friday reported citing senior military officials.
The officials said that Gates would seek contributions from allies to help
underwrite the USD 20 billion cost over five years. Taken together,the two decisions
are an acknowledgement of shortcomings that continue to hinder NATO - and American -
led operations in Afghanistan, newspaper said.
With the war in Iraq still an obstacle to any immediate American troop increase in
Afghanistan, the plan was described by officials as an attempt to increase allied
and Afghan capabilities in advance of deploying the additional American brigades.
Under an order expected to be signed by Gates before the end of August, the paper
said, Gen David D McKiernan, the four-star Army officer who leads the 45,000-member
NATO force, would be given command of most of the 19,000 American troops who have
operated separately. The NATO force already includes about 15,000 other Americans.
PTI DS
