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Afghanistan needs revised strategy: NATO commander

Last Updated: Monday, August 31, 2009 | 12:59 PM ET

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NATO top commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal commands a 103,000-member force in Afghanistan.NATO top commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal commands a 103,000-member force in Afghanistan. (Omar Sobhani/Reuters)

Success in Afghanistan requires a revised strategy, NATO's top commander said in completing his 60-day strategic review of the war.

"The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," Gen. Stanley McChrystal said in a written statement.

McChrystal said on Monday that his review is now being sent up the chain of command to the Pentagon and NATO headquarters in Brussels.

McChrystal, who commands a 103,000-member force, had been working on the review since U.S. President Barack Obama put him in charge of the war in June.

The assessment was requested by the U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates after he handpicked McChrystal for the position. Gates had complained the mission lacked focus and resources under the previous commander.

He commands American and NATO soldiers, including some of the most elite troops in the world: Canada's JTF-2 commandos, U.S. marines and British special forces. More than 2,800 Canadians are serving in Afghanistan under the NATO banner, mostly in the violent southern Kandahar province.

'Capability and will'

The goal of the assessment is "to reduce the capability and will" of insurgents, including al-Qaeda, a statement from NATO said. The report also examines how to grow and develop Afghan security forces and governance.

Officials said the review does not ask for more troops, an issue being examined separately.

Obama ordered 21,000 additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan this year in part to help protect voters who wanted to cast ballots in this month's presidential election.

McChrystal, however, is expected to ask for more troops in the separate review, two NATO officials told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

A NATO spokeswoman, Lt.-Cmdr. Christine Sidenstricker, declined to provide further comment on the content of the report.

Since taking command, McChrystal has adjusted the focus of the war effort to protecting the civilian population.

Analysts have said the review is expected to suggest concentrating forces in more heavily populated areas and greater training for Afghan security forces.

The report comes as the outcome of Afghanistan's Aug. 20 presidential election remains unclear and amid growing allegations of fraud.

Karzai builds lead

The latest figures released Monday by the election commission shows incumbent President Hamid Karzai holds 45.8 per cent of the votes counted. The top challenger, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, has 33.2 per cent, according to the results.

The commission said ballots cast at 48 per cent of the country's polling stations have been counted.

A contender needs at least 50 per cent of the votes to avoid a run-off election for the two top candidates.

Results are not expected to be finalized until late September as officials examine allegations of fraud and other voting irregularities.

A widely accepted Afghan government is one of the pillars of Obama's strategy to turn the tide of the Taliban insurgency.

With files from The Associated Press
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