NATO pressing for more training for Afghan forces

An Afghan National Army soldier stands watch near the site where Afghan National Army and NATO troops clashed in Wardak province southwest of Kabul January 30, 2010.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO has almost met its target for extra combat troops in Afghanistan but will press allies this week to meet a shortfall of up to 2,400 people to train Afghan security forces, its secretary-general said on Monday.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen said almost 70 countries had promised to increase or at least maintain their support in Afghanistan following an international conference in London last week.

He said almost 40 of the 44 states contributing to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) had offered to send more troops and NATO was now close to the 40,000 additional soldiers it says it needs for the mission.

However, Rasmussen said the alliance was still short of 21 teams to train the Afghan army and more than 100 teams to train the police. If Afghanistan's security forces are to grow to a target of 300,000 personnel in 2011, even more training teams will be needed, he said.

NATO officials say the current shortage amounts to 2,000-2,400 foreign trainers, who are needed to help build Afghan forces so they can take over responsibility for security.

ISTANBUL MEETING

Rasmussen said he would urge allies to commit more at a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Istanbul on Thursday and Friday.

"Allies and partners have made substantial contributions, but it isn't yet sufficient ... I will continue to push hard on this," he told a news briefing.

Rasmussen said one way to make up the shortfall would be for nations to reconfigure existing contributions to ISAF. "But I would not exclude the possibility that we will need additional contributions," he said.

"This training mission is of utmost importance to accomplish the strategy we all agree on. The more we invest in this transition now, the sooner the day when the Afghans can take responsibility themselves."

More than 110,000 foreign troops are now in Afghanistan. The United States has committed another 30,000 and allies up to 9,000 more, with the aim of containing a widening Taliban insurgency while building up the strength of Afghan forces.

NATO has long struggled to find enough trainers, particularly for the police, who are vital for creating the conditions to allow foreign forces to withdraw.

The European Union has promised to send 400 police trainers, but fewer than 300 have actually been committed since the launch of the mission in 2007, mostly because of safety concerns.

As well as on trainers, Rasmussen will make proposals in Istanbul for more cooperation on tackling improvised explosive devices, the cause of most foreign casualties in Afghanistan.

NATO will also urge more cooperation in providing medical facilities and helicopters that the alliance requires.