Oslo: Norway signalled today that it will not
boost its troop numbers in Afghanistan despite a request by
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen for more soldiers to be sent
to the war-torn country.
On a visit to Oslo, Rasmussen urged NATO member countries
to commit more troops, but did not receive any promises from
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
"The more we do now to help train Afghan troops, the less
we will have to contribute in the future," Rasmussen said at a
joint press conference will Stoltenberg.
He added he was visiting NATO allies to "invite them to
raise their contribution to the training mission" in
Afghanistan.
Stoltenberg hinted Norway, which has 500 troops in
Afghanistan, would not be boosting its troop commitment to the
country.
"We are the country whose military contribution is the
highest per capita. We will be maintaining that significant
contribution," he said.
The Prime Minister also noted Norway was one of the most
important contributors to the training of local security
forces, humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in
Afghanistan.
The strife-torn nation has been hit by an intensifying
Taliban insurgency despite the presence of 100,000 foreign
troops, including about 68,000 Americans.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 06, 2009, 19:52