NATO chief Rasmussen and Norwegian PM call for Afghan self-reliance

Nov 6, 2009, 11:14 GMT

Oslo - Helping Afghans claim their future was the main theme of a meeting between NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in Oslo Friday.

'The way forward is that the Afghan people and government take responsibility for security in Afghanistan,' Rasmussen said. 'Our mission in Afghanistan ends when Afghanistan is capable to take charge of its security. That is what we will help with.'

The former Danish prime minister has been NATO chief since August. The visit to Oslo was the latest in his tour of NATO members aimed at shoring up support for the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Stoltenberg welcomed the fact that the Afghan election commission had made a decision on the election and said that Oslo would cooperate with President Hamid Karzai.

'There are demanding challenges in Afghanistan,' he said, noting 'increased violence' and the recent presidential elections that were marred by allegations of fraud.

Both Stoltenberg and Rasmussen underlined that Karzai and the government need to do more to tackle corruption and ensure social and economic development.

Rasmussen said it was 'crucial' to ensure that there were sufficient trainers, equipment and funds to build up the Afghan security forces and police forces.

'At present it is clear that the Afghan forces can't cope on their own. The Afghan troops we have are fighting well, but they are too few,' Rasmussen said.

Stoltenberg said Rasmussen had asked NATO member Norway to increase its troop contributions 'if other countries, especially the US, do so.'

US President Barack Obama has commissioned a review of the US strategy in Afghanistan.

Norway is one of the larger contributors in relation to its size, Stoltenberg said, adding it also funded civilian programmes.

Rasmussen said 'intensive consultations' were ongoing between NATO members and countries that are part of the NATO-led ISAF mission on how countries can contribute, not only with troops, but also with funds and trainers.