NATO Secretary-General George Robertson arrived in Afghanistan yesterday to visit peacekeepers amid growing calls for expansion of the Kabul-based force to tackle an upsurge in violence.
Robertson is due to visit NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and meet with Defense Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali and UN officials, an ISAF spokesman said.
The NATO chief is visiting Afghanistan on a tour of Central Asia which has already taken him to neighboring Tajikistan. He is also due to visit Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan's government, aid agencies and the UN have repeatedly called for ISAF peacekeepers to be deployed to the provinces to tackle rampant insecurity.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Thursday he expected the UN Security Council to agree on deployment to the provinces "in a very short time."
While NATO has said it is examining the possibility of expanding the 5,300-strong force, Robertson made no promises in a statement released here on the eve of his visit.
"There should be no doubt that NATO is determined to contribute for as long as necessary to peace and security in Afghanistan," Robertson's statement said.
"Afghanistan still faces great challenges. Security must be established throughout the country, and NATO is now examining how best to contribute to that," it said.
Southern and eastern Afghanistan have borne the brunt of surging violence blamed on resurgent Taliban forces, who were ousted nearly two years ago by a US-led military assault and are now allegedly regrouping over the border in Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal areas.
Attacks on aid workers have spiralled in the past 12 months from once a month to once every two days, according to the CARE, undermining reconstruction efforts in many parts of the country.
Relief agencies have warned that, without extra security, aid and development will be hindered, creating conditions which could result in "growing public support for radical movements."
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