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Chirac pledges support for Afghan security operation

"France will participate in an operation to ensure access and aid distribution in the region of Mazar-i-Sharif."

Catherine Colonna, presidential spokeswoman

France looked set to send ground troops into Afghanistan as Pre-sident Jacques Chirac pledged on Wednesday to join a security operation and make sure aid could be safely shipped into the devastated country.

Chirac phoned UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to tell him that France would participate in a mission to ensure safe passage of aid and aid convoys following the rout of Taliban forces by the opposition Northern Alliance, Chirac's spokeswoman said.

"France will participate in an operation to ensure access and aid distribution in the region of Mazar-i-Sharif," said spokeswoman Catherine Colonna. She would not confirm explicitly that this would involve sending ground troops.

"The details are still being worked out," she said.

"It was essential to ensure security in the area so that aid could be shipped through," Chirac told Annan, she added.

TF1 television reported simply that the decision taken by Chirac meant France would be sending ground troops.

The security operation is expected to focus on humanitarian aid -- the escorting of aid convoys, ensuring that the food is distributed to those who need it and providing security for UN personnel on the ground.

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, who was in New York attending the UN annual General Assembly, issued a statement confirming the decision taken and announced out of Paris, apparently after a special meeting between Chirac and key ministers from Prime Minister Lionel Jospin's government.

The French contingent would be part of a UN multinational force, TF1 added. Chirac's spokeswoman refused to comment on the television report, saying only that further information could be expected as soon as the plan took shape more concretely.

Chirac said in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday he backed the idea of sending an international peacekeeping force to the Afghan capital Kabul, but it appeared on Wednesday that France's role would ultimately focus on securing the area of Mazar-i-Sharif.

"I, for my part, would be in favor with just one reserve, namely that it should be truly a decision of the United Nations secretary general," he said in Riyadh on Tuesday. "But if he adopted this proposal, I would back it willingly," he added.

Some UN aid rolled into Afghanistan on Wednesday to provide vital relief to millions in danger of starving as winter closes in.

In a sign of why a security force on the ground may be vital, the UN children's fund suspended convoys after some trucks and employees were seized by victorious anti-Taliban Northern Alliance fighters.

Chirac also reiterated the importance of rapidly finding a political solution in Afghanistan now that the Taliban had been ousted from control in most of the country, Colonna said.

"This needs to move fast ... France is ready to help," he told Annan, Colonna said.
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