BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union officials questioned Monday whether Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government can face up to the country's challenges but did not echo a U.S. pledge to withhold civilian aid without more accountability.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he found British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's prediction that 5,000 more allied troops would be needed in Afghanistan "realistic," but said it was premature to make a final assessments.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday that the U.S. would not provide any civilian help to Afghanistan without a way to hold ministries accountable for how funds are used.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Monday it was "fundamental" for Afghanistan to have a government free of corruption and prepared to take on drug running and other problems the country faces. Solana would not comment on Clinton's threat, and it was not clear whether EU would adopt a similar position vis-a-vis Afghan leadership.
European nations, which provide about 30,000 troops to the NATO-led force in Afghanistan and are a major aid contributing partner, are waiting for President Barack Obama's strategic review of the war before deciding on specific collaboration and possible troop contributions.
"The European Union is engaged in Afghanistan and we will continue to be engaged," said EU spokeswoman Cristina Gallach.
"We need to hear from Karzai that he is putting together a government that faces the challenges that Afghanistan has before it," Gallach said.
Kai Eide, the top U.N. official in Kabul, will also brief Monday the rare joint meeting of EU's defense and foreign ministers, which will assess the progress Karzai is making on forming a new government after his tainted re-election, Gallach said.
No decisions on Afghanistan are expected at the two-day meeting, Gallach said.
Fogh Rasmussen, who also attended the talks, said "very important decisions" would be made in the next few weeks.
Israeli Diplomats Targeted in India, Georgia
Attempted Bomb Attack Stopped in Georgia
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Trial Underway for Bali Bombing Suspect
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th
Snow Strands Italian Towns
The Pits: Israelis Spit Olives for Glory
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal
Skaters Still Hold Hope for Dutch Marathon
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
