US Defense Secretary Robert Gates criticized NATO forces in
Afghanistan, saying they do not know how to combat an
insurgency.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times published
Wednesday, Gates said the lack of combat ability could be
contributing to the rising violence in the fight against the
Taliban.
The sharp criticism came as the Bush administration has decided
to send 3,200 US Marines to southern Afghanistan on a temporary
mission to help quell the rising number of attacks.
It also comes amid growing friction among allied commanders over
the Afghan security situation.
Earlier, NATO allies had blamed inadequate US troop numbers
earlier in the war in part for a Taliban resurgence.
Responding to the latest chiding from Gates, the NATO allies
were angered. The Dutch Defense Ministry summoned the US ambassador
for an explanation. British Conservative lawmaker Patrick Mercer
said Gates' comments were "outrageous."
(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2008)
