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PENTAGON: No Objections to Expanding Afghan Peacekeeping Force
Monday, September 9, 2002
(17:54 UTC)
By Alex Belida
VOA News

Pentagon officials say it is their assessment that elements of the ousted Taleban regime are trying to unsettle Afghanistan's interim government, which is why they believe there is a focus on the capital.

Pentagon -- VOA
Pentagon officials say they do not object to expanding the international peacekeeping force for Afghanistan outside the capital, Kabul. But, officials are explaining why they do not view expansion as the quick and easy solution for shoring up stability in the country.

When senior Pentagon officials are asked about expanding the international security force (ISAF), they invariably say the main problem is getting other countries to offer up resources, troops, equipment and money for such a move.

"We are going as aggressively as we can to bring stability and security to that country," said Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke at a recent news briefing. "ISAF is one piece of it. It is an important piece of it. We have no opposition to the expansion of ISAF beyond Kabul. We need support and participation by others as well."

But other officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have for the first time indicated they have questions about the value of expanding the peace force.
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Dan