More CF personnel for Afstan--and more Euros for Kandahar the south?

Seems reasonable for us, but I'd still like to see more Euro details--any combat?

Canada may send more troops [most actually Air Force - MC] to Afghanistan and NATO countries have agreed to bolster their troop numbers in the country's volatile southern region, Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson says.

During his first-ever trip to Afghanistan, Emerson told reporters at a news conference in Kabul on Saturday that Canada may deploy an additional 200 troops to the conflict-ridden country.

"Canada does have 2,500 troops here in Afghanistan and that number could expand to 2,700 as more equipment arrives," he said.

Emerson appeared to be linking the possible Canadian troop expansion to a new squadron of helicopters and aerial drones [but many personnel for the UAVs are to be supplied by the contractor that wins the lease--see Upperdate here] expected to be in place early next year. The new equipment will require additional pilots, support crews, and mechanics, government officials have previously said.

Emerson noted Canada is "comforted" by NATO's agreement to bolster troops in a region where Canadian troops have seen an increase in Taliban and insurgent attacks.

"We've been talking with our NATO allies and in fact we do now have commitments to increase the number of troops particularly in the Kandahar region," Emerson said. "We're really more comforted that the troop support is being increased in an appropriate way."

The Associated Press reported Saturday the Belgian government announced it will send 55 military engineers to Afghanistan next week [plus four F-16s - MC]. They are expected to lay the groundwork for 100 more NATO troops heading to the country in September to help Dutch forces...