Gates pushes allies on Afghan war help

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EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec 14 (AP): Defence Secretary Robert Gates is asking European allies for more troops to help stabilize Afghanistan, where the government is weak, the insurgency is relentless and casualties are mounting.
He got encouragement Thursday from a reliable US ally - Britain.
Success in Afghanistan will require a significant and concerted international effort, said British Defense Secretary Des Browne as North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) defence and foreign ministers from countries operating in the south of Afghanistan gathered in Edinburgh for a conference. In southern Afghanistan, Taliban insurgents have increased attacks in the 18 months since NATO took command of the war.
"We must give the Afghan authorities the support they need to deliver the kind of success that we all recognize is vital, not just for security in Afghanistan, but for security in the wider world," Browne said in a statement.
Browne just returned from a visit to Afghanistan and praised the work of military forces there.
During talks with allied defense and diplomatic officials, Gates is seeking an overall strategy for Afghanistan that could be adopted by the leaders of NATO governments at a summit next April.