Afghanistan set to dominate Nato meeting

Nato’s battle with the Taliban in southern Afghanistan and a possible extension of the alliance’s support for African peacekeepers in Darfur are set to dominate a meeting of allied defence ministers this week on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is likely to back calls from Nato commanders for reluctant European nations to send more troops to southern Afghanistan where allied forces have been surprised by Taliban resistance.

The meeting tomorrow and Friday in Portoroz will also debate plans for Nato to complete its takeover of the security operation across Afghaistan by taking over the eastern sector, a move that is expected to bring up to 10,000 US troops under Nato command in the next few weeks.

Turning to Darfur, ministers are expected to extend Nato’s programme of training and air transport for African Union peacekeepers in the war-ravaged Sudanese region.

“The main message from Portoroz will be one of openness to assist,” said John Colston, Nato’s assistant secretary general for defence policy.