BRUSSELS - NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Wednesday he saw an "emerging agreement" among the alliance's members on what role they would play in Afghanistan once that country's forces take charge of security by 2015.
Speaking during a meeting of NATO allies in Brussels, Rasmussen said a number of member states had already pledged the size of their financial contributions to help the Afghan government maintain security forces after 2014.
concrete financial contributions to Afghan security forces in the future," he told a news conference, without specifying which countries or the amounts pledged.
Addressing photographs that appeared in an American newspaper of U.S. soldiers posing with the maimed bodies of dead Afghan insurgents, Rasmussen said: "I strongly condemn these photos and these acts ... I hope there will be no spillover."
He also said NATO member Turkey has made no request for help in dealing with violence on its border with Syria, but that NATO was ready to consult on any security issues according to its rules. He said Gen. John R Allen, the US and international soldier's top commander in Afghanistan, and NATO's Senior Civilian Representative Simon Gass would highlight the political situation and progress in Afghanistan at the conference.
The official billed 2013 as an important year for Afghanistan, where the process of security transition would enter a final phase and Afghans themselves would take full control of the nation's security. However, the international community will continue to play a supportive role after the 2014 departure.
On the first day of the conference, NATO countries would discuss their own matters and on the second day Afghanistan's issues would be on their agenda, he added.
"We are just one month away from our Chicago summit. So this is the time to make sure our preparations are on track as we enter the final stretch," Rasmussen said at the start of the ministerial meetings.
He ruled out any change in the ongoing security transition process, saying the alliance would see to it that the transfer was completed on schedule.
The ministers will discuss the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. On April 19, the foreign ministers of the 22 non-NATO ISAF countries will join the meeting to discuss how to make sure that the transition to full Afghan security responsibility succeeds.
"We will continue to support the Afghan security forces beyond 2014," the secretary general promised, saying the alliance would also continue to support Afghanistan financially as part of the broader international effort.
"We must make sure we maintain the gains made with so much investment in lives and resources and even in tough times. Supporting the Afghan forces is a good deal in financial and political terms," he added.
The conference will focus on three important issues -- security transition from foreign soldiers to Afghan security forces, assessment of political affairs and funding Afghan security forces after international soldiers leave the country.
The participants of the conference would also discuss the Afghan forces' strength beyond 2014 -- a deadline for foreign troops' pullout, said an Afghan envoy, who did not want to be named.
On the issue of funding Afghan forces, Washington is seeking help from its partners to contribute $1 billion (£630 million) a year, while US would channel about $3 billion yearly in support.
The meeting is a prelude to the Chicago Summit in late May, where NATO members will decide on their commitment to Afghan security forces beyond 2014.
(Reuters)