Nato’s increase in Afghan forces should be permanent, says US

Article reports that the US is for the first time indicating to its Nato allies that it wants the 5,000 European troops being sent temporarily to Afghanistan for the summer 2009 elections to remain permanently. As Nato defence ministers prepared to meet in Brussels on the 11-12 June 2009 for a meeting dominated by Afghan developments, the US declared that it does not want European troops who are being sent to provide security for the presidential poll to return home afterwards.

NATO: Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers, Brussels, 11-12 June 2009 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/events_55308.htm

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