Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates Tuesday linked the U.S. and Europe's peace to durable stability in Afghanistan and called for more support to fight insurgents in the post-Taliban nation.
"The security about the people of Europeans and America is naturally bound to the stability in Afghanistan," Gates told reporters at a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The Pentagon chief admitted that militancy is growing in the Central Asian state, saying "in fact I have been concerned about growing level of violence here in Afghanistan over last couple of years."
Moreover, Gates emphasized that the United States is committed to a long-term safety and security of Afghanistan.
Gates said that he would press Washington's allies in Europe to redouble their efforts in the war-ravaged country.
He added that the U.S. has allocated significant amount of dollars to boost the capability of the Afghan National Army and National Police throughout 2007 and 2008, but did not give the exact figures.
The U.S. defense secretary's unannounced visit to Afghanistan took place amid increasing Taliban-led suicide bombings as the militants on Monday carried out two suicide attacks in southern Afghanistan, killing at least three policemen, while another suicide bombing against NATO troops in Kabul Tuesday morning wounded some 22 civilians.
However, Gates, who earlier visited the militancy-hit Afghan border province Khost in eastern Afghanistan and met U.S. troops as well as local officials, expressed satisfaction over the security situation, saying that on average one suicide bombing shocked Khost every week last year, but now one in month.
He said that Taliban and al-Qaeda militants have lost their fighting capability and that is why they have adopted suicide bombings.
Speaking at the press conference, Afghan President Karzai called on the international community to continue their support till the war-torn country stands on its feet.
Source: Xinhua
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