British Defense Official Downplays NATO's Differences in Afghanistan

  02 October 2005

Britain's top defense official is in Afghanistan to discuss the role of NATO troops in the country, after some member nations said they want NATO forces to be limited to peacekeeping missions.

While in Kabul for talks Saturday, Defense Secretary John Reid told reporters alliance members needed "to work through" the issue of whether NATO forces should be involved in offensive combat missions.

Such operations are currently handled by the U.S.-led coalition forces.

Britain is expected to deploy more troops under NATO's umbrella to Afghanistan's restive southern region.

Last month, Germany, France and Spain expressed concern that peacekeeping operations and offensive operations would be linked together under one mission.

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