(AP) - NATO countries, under pressure from the U.S. and military leaders, may soon come through with additional troops and equipment needed to fight the escalating violence in Afghanistan, reports Trend.
The 26 NATO defense ministers, gathering for their two-day fall meeting here, are expected to agree on a plan to donate surplus military equipment to the country, and also are likely to announce new commitments of military resources.
According to a senior U.S. official, Afghanistan has compiled a list of needed equipment, from helicopters and vehicles to armor and guns, and officials will set up a program to coordinate the donations.
The official requested anonymity because the ministers had not met to finalize the agreement, which is similar to one set up previously for Iraq.
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who is among the 26 NATO defense ministers meeting in Slovenia, expressed optimism that the NATO countries will find the troops needed to fill gaps in the military operations.
NATO countries recently have been slow to meet needs for more coalition forces for the alliance in Afghanistan, where violence has surged. NATO's top commander, U.S. Gen. James L. Jones, asked other nations this month for about 2,500 troops and other equipment, and said last week that some had come through.
"I have every confidence that NATO is fully committed in Afghanistan and that the requirements that the military commanders on the ground deem as appropriate and necessary" will be filled by NATO nations and countries in a program considered a stepping stone toward full membership in the alliance, Rumsfeld said.
The U.S. official also said that while new commitments are expected, the full troop requirements may not be met.
Currently there are about 20,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan and an additional 21,000 from the United States.
Under the expected deal, allies will be able to coordinate and donate equipment to the Afghan National Army. The official could not estimate how much equipment was included on Afghanistan's wish list.
NATO-led troops are in command of the southern portion of Afghanistan and are expected to take over the eastern section which U.S. troops now command later this year. U.S. military teams are working to train Afghan troops to take over their country's security.
A senior U.S. defense official said NATO defense ministers also are expected to make progress resolving problems with restrictions countries put on their armed forces when they are serving in Afghanistan. Some troops are prohibited from working in specific regions of the country or cannot serve at night.
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