NATO treba još četiri tisuće vojnika u Afganistanu

U toj je zemlji sada oko 17 tisuća stranih vojnika, a predviđeno je da ove godine stigne još 17 tisuća Amerikanaca.

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Violence has increased since last year in Afghanistan where the Taliban, ousted in a U.S.-led invasion in 2001, have made a comeback.

Deborah Lutterbeck reports

STORY:

A suicide bomber kills two Afghan civilians and injures nine others in what is believed to have been a botched attack against a convoy of foreign troops on the western edge of Kabul.

In Helmand province 11 people are killed as another suicide bomber targets the main police headquarters.

Violence has increased since last year in Afghanistan where the Taliban, ousted in a U.S.-led invasion in 2001, have made a comeback.

The US has already pledged to send an extra 17,000 troops into the Afghan theater, and is expected to press NATO next month to add reinforcements.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin recently told Reuters Television that one thing that has to change on the ground are the rules of engagement for NATO forces.

SOUNDBITE: French Defense Minister Herve Morin saying, (French):

"We need the caveats to be lifted because they are a source of complication in the alliance. We need to discuss this with our allies. But this has to be decided by each country."

Nato's rules of vary from country to country with some forces not allowed in some areas, and there are certain restrictions on the use of force.

Lifting these restrictions could be key says NATO's Brigadier General Richard Blanchette in Kabul who was made available to Reuters by the pentagon.

SOUNDBITE: Brigadier General Richard Blanchette saying, (English):

"It is essential that our edge, our advantage -- we have better mobility, better fire power, better communication is not restricted because this edge that we have over the enemy, over the Taliban and other insurgents is something that can really make a difference"

The United States is conducting a major policy review of its Afghan strategy which is expected before Nato meetings In April where Afghanistan will top the agenda.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters