WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates said NATO-led forces would be able to quell a sprinUg offensive from the Taliban if they prepare now.
Speaking to reporters after an informal meeting of NATO leaders in Seville, Spain, Gates said that allies agree that 2007 is a crucial year for Afghanistan, the American Forces Information Service reported on Thursday.
"I think there is consensus on the part of the ministers that it's important that we knock that back and bring the situation fully under control," Gates said.
For several years the Taliban has launched a spring offensive, and military experts anticipate that violence will intensify this year as well. Commenting on his visit to the country three weeks ago, Gates said he sees improvements that indicate that the NATO forces and the Afghan government are up to the task.
"I think there are some real opportunities here, and I think that one of the reasons we're pushing as hard as we are is that we have an opportunity this spring to significantly disrupt the increasing cycles of violence that we've seen over the last several years caused by the Taliban," Gates said.
NATO will concentrate on enhancing border operations, encouraging the development of good governance, distributing aid to the Afghan people, and accelerating training and equipping of Afghan national security forces, Gates said.
The secretary said he agreed with a comment made by Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak's that "the spring offensive should be our offensive."
