U.S. says British comments on Afghan war "defeatist"

By Kristin Roberts

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday dismissed as "defeatist" comments by Britain's military commander and its ambassador in Afghanistan that the war there could not be won.

"While we face significant challenges in Afghanistan, there certainly is no reason to be defeatist or to underestimate the opportunities to be successful in the long run," Gates told reporters en route to Europe for meetings with defense ministers.

The Pentagon chief said part of the solution in Afghanistan, where soaring violence has made that war zone more deadly than Iraq, would be negotiating with members of the Taliban who are willing to work with the government in Kabul.

He compared that to reconciliation efforts in Iraq, where tribal leaders who once fought against U.S. and Iraqi troops have switched sides to fight the insurgency and al Qaeda.

"What we have seen in Iraq applies in Afghanistan," Gates said of the possibility of peace talks with the Taliban.

"Part of the solution is strengthening the Afghan security forces. Part of the solution is reconciliation with people who are willing to work with the Afghan government."

Gates' comments followed statements from Britain's commander and ambassador in Afghanistan that cast doubt on whether the NATO-led war could be won.

Britain's commander in Afghanistan, Brig. Mark Carleton-Smith, told the Sunday Times that the war against the Taliban could not be won. Separately, Britain's ambassador in Kabul, Sherard Cowper-Coles, backed an "acceptable dictator" as the best solution for the country, according to excerpts from a diplomatic cable published in a French newspaper.

Security in Afghanistan has deteriorated for more than two years. The United States is conducting a review of its Afghan strategy similar to a 2006 reappraisal of its Iraq policy that led to a "surge" of 30,000 troops that helped pull the country back from the brink of civil war.

The Afghan review has been characterized as a serious study of the current policy. But U.S. officials concede it will probably yield only recommendations for the next president -- either Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama -- who will enter office in January.

The United States has 33,000 troops in Afghanistan. About 22,000 are part of NATO's force of nearly 48,000 troops. Commanders say they need three more brigades, or about 10,000 to 12,000 troops. Those forces will likely come from the United States next year, U.S. officials say.

(Editing by Chris Wilson)