Monday, February 26, 2007

U.S. Vice President Cheney Visits Afgahanistan In Unannounced Trip

BAGRAM AIR FORCE BASE, Afghanistan, Feb 26 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney visited Afghanistan on Monday for talks with President Hamid Karzai on how to guard against an anticipated spring offensive by the Taliban.

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The United States is bolstering its troop presence in Afghanistan by 3,200 to help combat a resurgence by the Taliban that could threaten efforts to stabilize the country.

The Bush administration has called on NATO to provide additional troops and equipment when needed to ensure success in Afghanistan, and to lift restrictions on where and how their forces can fight to give commanders flexibility.

U.S. officials also have made it clear to Karzai that more action was needed to eradicate poppy cultivation, which increased markedly last year and provided the Taliban with money to buy weapons.

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