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NATO troops in Afghanistan vital for security at home: NATO chief

2009-08-17 10:06 BJT

Special Report: Afghan presidential election |

BRUSSELS, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Sunday that the presence of international troops in Afghanistan is vital for security of the troop contributing countries despite heavy casualties.

Rasmussen issued a statement as the number of deaths suffered by British troops exceeded 200 since the war in Afghanistan in 2001. "This is indeed a heavy price to pay," he said.

"Even in this time of sadness, I hope people can understand that these losses are suffered in a cause vital to the security of each of the 42 nations who comprise the NATO-led ISAF (International Security Assistance Force)," added Rasmussen.

"Stabilizing Afghanistan to prevent the return of terrorism that threatens us all remains a critical security task," he said.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made a similar statement on Sunday. "In these moments of sorrow and sadness, we must never forget why we are in Afghanistan and why people are making the sacrifice that they are making," Brown said. "Three quarters of the terrorist plots that hit Britain derive from the mountain areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan and it is to make Britain safe and the rest of the world safe that we must make sure we honor our commitment."

Brown's comments came after relatives of the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan called for a withdrawal of British troops.  

Editor: Zhang Ning | Source: Xinhua