NATO chief expresses concern over Afghanistan

BRUSSELS: NATO's head called Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday to express "deep concerns" about a surge in rogue attacks on foreign soldiers.

Rasmussen told Reuters in an interview on Monday that the
alliance's plans gradually to hand over security to Afghan
forces and pull out most troops by end-2014 would not be
disrupted by the attacks.

Afghan servicemen have killed at least 45 troops from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) this year.

In a telephone call with Karzai, NATO Secretary-General
Anders Fogh Rasmussen reaffirmed NATO’s continued commitment to
the ISAF mission and emphasised that the strategy remains on track.

The secretary-general, however, also shared with President
Karzai his deep concerns about insider attacks.


Rasmussen outlined measures to try to stop the insider attacks that include strengthening vetting procedures, better counter-intelligence and cultural awareness training, and he urged Karzai to join in those efforts.

President Karzai assured the secretary-general that he is
doing all he can to prevent the occurrence of such attacks.(Reuters)