LOC12:00
09:00 GMT
OSLO, Nov 6 (KUNA) -- Senior Norwegian officials have cautioned against
possible expansion of the role of national troops serving in Afghanistan.
Defense Minister Anne-Grete Strom-Erichsen along with his military Chief,
Sverre Diesen, in statements published on Tuesday, expressed worries regarding
the negative consequences of expanding the mission of the Norwegian military
force that participates in the Multi-National Forces in Afghanistan (ISAF).
Around 260 Norwegian soldiers along with German and Latvian forces serving
with the ISAF are currently engaged in heavy clashes in northern Afghanistan
in pursuit of Taliban fighters for control the of rugged area.
Even though the Norwegian force has not lost any soldier during these
combat operations, decision makers in the ministry of defense feel pessimistic
about the conditions there.
The Norwegian military predict that possible expansion of logistics and
support missions would warrant increasing the number of military forces in the
short term. (end)
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