Two Nato countries veto Afghan reinforcements

The Netherlands and Denmark today announced a block on sending more troops to Afghanistan unless its election run-off creates a legitimate government and until President Barack Obama decides on a new strategy.

Dutch Defence Minister Eimert Van Middelkoop said his country, with 2,160 troops in Afghanistan, is awaiting the final election results “because the legitimacy of the Afghan government is key,” as well as a decision by the Obama administration.

“I think most countries are waiting for the American decisions,” Mr van Middelkoop said at a meeting in Bratislava of Nato defence ministers.

The top US military commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal was briefing the group on his view of the war in Afghanistan.

Danish Defence Minister Soeren Gade said allies will not increase troop levels until they are assured the new government in Kabul is committed to the international effort.

“I think whoever is going to send more troops to Afghanistan will put up some conditions,” said Mr Gade, whose country has 690 soldiers in Afghanistan.

“They need to see the new Afghan president and say: ’If we send more troops to your country, you have to deal with this, this and this.’ We have to make sure the new government in Afghanistan are committed to their job before we send any more troops to Afghanistan.”

On the sidelines of the meeting the top UN official in Afghanistan Kai Eide said the extensive fraud that marked the first round of presidential elections will be reduced but not eliminated in the run-off.

“We will not be able to carry out dramatic changes,” Eide said.

He added that the security situation has not improved since the first ballot on August 20, when threats by Taliban militants resulted in a very low turnout despite a massive campaign by Nato troops and government forces to prevent attacks.