Brussels, 10 March 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai has reportedly asked NATO to help officials organize the country's upcoming national elections.
News agencies are quoting an unnamed NATO official as today saying that the Afghan leader sent NATO a letter asking the alliance to provide security back-up for the voter registration and election process in the country.
The polls are scheduled for June but no date has been set as preparations are being plagued by security and logistical problems.
Also today, NATO commander General James Jones admitted that NATO's response to a United Nations request to expand its presence in Afghanistan has been slow. He said he plans to "aggressively encourage" some allied nations to contribute more to NATO's efforts in Afghanistan.
The polls are scheduled for June but no date has been set as preparations are being plagued by security and logistical problems.
Also today, NATO commander General James Jones admitted that NATO's response to a United Nations request to expand its presence in Afghanistan has been slow. He said he plans to "aggressively encourage" some allied nations to contribute more to NATO's efforts in Afghanistan.