Scheffer: New forces in Afganistan in 6 Weeks

De Hoop Scheffer and Afghan President Hamid Karzai held a joint news conference on the second day of NATO Summit. Scheffer said NATO, UN, EU and all the donor countries should act in coordination during the election process.

İstanbul

NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer said on Tuesday that additional troops would be deployed in Afghanistan within 6-8 weeks.

NATO pledged to send troops to Afghanistan to provide security for September's key elections.

De Hoop Scheffer and Afghan President Hamid Karzai held a joint news conference on the second day of NATO Summit in Istanbul.

De Hoop Scheffer said NATO, UN, EU and all the donor countries should act in coordination during the election process.

Karzai on his part expressed pleasure over decision of deployment of extra troops. He said this was needed for security and betterment of economic life of Afghan people.

Karzai said terrorism will continue to be a problem in Afghanistan, stating this is a long term war. He said terrorists attacked on civilian people, employee who work for reconstruction, and to women, but they cannot be considered as a threat to the political process.

On the other hand foreign ministers of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) reaffirmed their desire to broaden political dialogue within the NRC, with a view of promoting a common approach and to undertake possible joint actions. (AY-ULG) (YE)