NATO unveils a ‘strategic vision’ for Afghanistan; Australian PM: Greater effort from Pakistan needed to control the Taliban; Karzai expresses an interest in a second term; 2 Indian engineers killed in Nimroz province in a suicide attack
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    • NATO leaders meeting in Bucharest on April 3 unveiled a ‘strategic vision’ for Afghanistan vowing support to the Afghan leadership and called on the coalition forces to maintain a ‘shared long-term commitment.’ They also pledged to coordinate civilian and military efforts and increase cooperation with Afghanistan’s neighbours, specifically Pakistan1. The document also called on NATO countries to
    show ‘flexibility’ in the use of their forces as well as contribute more troops. Eevn as France pledged 700 more troops to the coalition efforts, Australian PM Kevin Rudd called for greater burden-sharing by the NATO allies. He however reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Afghanistan for the ‘long haul’ but stated that Canberra’s support was not a "blank cheque2." Australia had about 1,000 troops operating in Oruzgan province. President Karzai on his part welcomed NATO’s commitment to his country.

    Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser meanwhile took over as commander of US-led coalition forces and pledged to carry out his duties in support of Afghan national security forces3. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates told reporters after attending the NATO Summit that the US would send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009. Reports noted that the out-going US commander Gen. McNeill saw the need for 10,000 more troops, including for training purposes4.

    Reports also noted that the Australian PM Rudd told Pakistan’s President Musharraf that a greater effort was required from Pakistan to control the Taliban with in its borders to stabilize the situation inside Afghanistan. Both the leaders met on April 11 at the Baoa Forum in southern China5.

    Among other developments, President Karzai, talking to reporters in Kabul on April 6 expressed an interest in seeking a second term of office after the expiry of the present term in 20096.

    Meanwhile, suicide attacks continued across the country, especially in southern Afghanistan. An attack in Kandahar province on a NATO convoy killed 8 civilians on April 10 while an attack on a road crew in Zabul province bordering Pakistan killed 18 people on April 8. 2 Indian road engineers working on a project in the southwestern province of Nimroz were killed in a suicide attack on April 127.

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