Italy May Shift Troops from Lebanon, Balkans To Afghanistan

[bobdina]

Italy May Shift Troops from Lebanon, Balkans To Afghanistan
By tom kington
Published: 27 Nov 2009 14:05


ROME - Responding to U.S. calls to boost troop numbers in Afghanistan, Italy will "probably" do so, by cutting troop numbers in theaters such as Lebanon and the Balkans, Italy's defense minister said Nov. 27.

"We are totally willing to give careful consideration to an increase in troops in Afghanistan as requested by NATO and by President Obama during his phone conversation with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi," said Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Berlusconi discussed Italy's 2,800-strong presence in Afghanistan on Nov. 25. Four hundred troops recently returned home after deploying for the Afghan elections. The scope of a new Italian troop increase is yet to be decided, La Russa said.

"We are already planning a reduction in the Balkans, as well as in Lebanon, where Italy will be handing over the running of the mission to Spain," La Russa said. "Therefore, with the same resources, give or take a few soldiers, we can also plan for and decide on the increase of troop numbers in Afghanistan."

In an earlier statement, Berlusconi said he agreed with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the need for "a new operative approach on the terrain, on the need to increase commitment in the civil sector and in training Afghan security forces and police."


http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4395008&c=EUR&s=LAN

[MickDonalds]

Pshhh. Don't bother. When you agree to station your troops in Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Helmand, and have them actually LEAVE THE WIRE we'll talk.

[bobdina]

And don't play both sides like the last couple of times they were going to support us.

[acf6]

Hey Taliban here they come open your wallets they will have plenty of money for ya!!!!

[GTFPDQ]

I would rather have the a rotation of responsibilities. Italians take over RC-N, Germans move to RC-E and the French move in support of RC-S. At least the French hace the RoE to fight.

Some of the US surge could be added to both RC-N and W. I dont see why the US has to through all their troops into the hotspots.

Any European countries adding troops should reinforce their own forces. Unless the ISAF Commander needs them elsewhere.

[nastyleg]

Italy May Shift Troops from Lebanon, Balkans To Afghanistan
By tom kington
Published: 27 Nov 2009 14:05


ROME - Responding to U.S. calls to boost troop numbers in Afghanistan, Italy will "probably" do so, by cutting troop numbers in theaters such as Lebanon and the Balkans, Italy's defense minister said Nov. 27.

"We are totally willing to give careful consideration to an increase in troops in Afghanistan as requested by NATO and by President Obama during his phone conversation with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi," said Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Berlusconi discussed Italy's 2,800-strong presence in Afghanistan on Nov. 25. Four hundred troops recently returned home after deploying for the Afghan elections. The scope of a new Italian troop increase is yet to be decided, La Russa said.

"We are already planning a reduction in the Balkans, as well as in Lebanon, where Italy will be handing over the running of the mission to Spain," La Russa said. "Therefore, with the same resources, give or take a few soldiers, we can also plan for and decide on the increase of troop numbers in Afghanistan."

In an earlier statement, Berlusconi said he agreed with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the need for "a new operative approach on the terrain, on the need to increase commitment in the civil sector and in training Afghan security forces and police."


http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4395008&c=EUR&s=LAN



Why bother bringing them at all.