Saturday, September 27, 2008

NATO Considering More Aggressive Afghan Drugs Role


From Swiss Info:

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO allies are considering a U.S. call for the alliance-led force in Afghanistan to take a more direct role in counter-narcotics operations by targeting drug labs and trafficking facilities, officials said on Friday.

NATO has so far limited its role in the anti-drug effort to providing logistical support for Afghan forces due to concern that direct involvement could increase the risk of insurgent attacks on foreign troops and civilian casualties.

NATO's supreme commander for Europe, General John Craddock, said this week a more aggressive approach was needed to choke off funding to the Taliban insurgency. But he added he was not proposing direct NATO involvement in eradicating farmers' crops.

NATO spokeswoman Carmen Romero said Craddock's call was being considered by the 26 NATO allies.

"It's being discussed internally among NATO allies formally," she said, adding that it was a likely topic for an October 9-10 meeting of NATO defence ministers in Budapest.

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My Comment: Too little .... too late.

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