NATO boss reiterates 'no' to early troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, April 24, IRNA -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Saturday reaffirmed his opposition to an early pullout from Afghanistan amid the rising death toll of western troops in the war-stricken country.
Talking to the Munich-based weekly news magazine Focus, Rasmussen said NATO forces would only leave Afghanistan "once the job is done."
"All NATO partners will remain in Afghanistan until we reach our goal," he added.
Asked about German plans to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan starting 2011, Rasmussen replied the troop size could only be reduced once NATO manages to ensure a long-term stabilization of Afghanistan.
Many European governments, among them Germany, are under intense public pressure to retreat from Afghanistan in the wake of more military deaths in recent months.
Meanwhile, the center-right Dutch government coalition collapsed in February over what was labeled as irreconcilable differences on whether to extend the Netherlands' military mission in Afghanistan.
There are around 2,000 Dutch soldiers based in Afghanistan, however the soldiers will be gradually withdrawn by the end of the year.
OT**1416
End News / IRNA / News Code 1075017
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