Aussies hope Dutch will maintain some presence in Uruzgan/US and Pak operations

Further to this post,

US NATO Envoy to CAN, NLD: Please don't go

the lastest news from down under:

Pressure on Dutch over Afghan role

DEFENCE Minister John Faulkner will make a last-ditch attempt this week to persuade his Dutch counterpart that the Netherlands should not pull all its troops out of Afghanistan.

Senator Faulkner will meet Dutch Defence Minister Eimert Van Middelkoop at a conference of NATO defence ministers on Thursday and Friday in Istanbul, Turkey.

There will be a separate meeting of nations with troops stationed in the southern region of Afghanistan, including Australia, the Netherlands, France, the United States, Canada, Romania and Britain.

It will be the last time Senator Faulkner meets his counterpart before the beginning of March, when the Dutch government will decide whether to pull its troops out of Oruzgan province.

''The decision on a replacement lead nation in Oruzgan is a matter for NATO,'' a spokesman for Senator Faulkner said. ''As the Dutch draw-down is scheduled to start in August this year, leadership replacement is becoming more urgent and Australia is obviously seeking a resolution.

''Australia's hope is that the Dutch retain a role in Oruzgan province, particularly if they retain the Provincial Reconstruction Team, which has been very effective. The Dutch are working through this at present, and Australia is working through all possible contingencies.''

The Dutch lead combat forces in Oruzgan province, where about 1300 Australian troops share a base with the 1900 Dutch troops.

Senator Faulkner and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith both emphasised late last year that Australia would not take a lead role in Oruzgan if the Dutch left...

Earlier:

Afstan: Dutch not fighting? "Bullshit"

Meanwhile, two stories from the Wall St. Journal:

U.S. Plans Defense of Kandahar [and we Canadians thought it was Brig.-Gen. Ménard--more here, note the four US Army battalions]
Coalition says influx of troops and new strategy will stall Taliban advances

U.S. Steps Up Missions Targeting Taliban Leaders [Special Forces, Zabul province, RC South]

While across the border (seems a tad optimistic):

Pakistani Taliban leader's death would be 'fatal blow' for group, analyst says