Bush Acknowledges Tough Fight in Afghanistan | Voice of America - English
U.S. President George Bush says American and coalition forces are engaged in a tough fight in Afghanistan, and troop levels are under constant review.  VOA's Paula Wolfson has details from the White House.June was the deadliest month for U.S.
Junewas the deadliest month for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan sincethe U.S.-led invasion in 2001. It was also the second month in a rowthat coalition troop loses in Afghanistan were greater than in Iraq. President Bush says he is aware of the difficulties American and allied forces are facing. "It has been a tough month in Afghanistan, but it has also been a tough month for the Taliban," said President Bush. He says the coalition losses may be high because they are taking the battle to the enemy. "Onereason why there have been more deaths is because our troops are takingthe fight to a tough enemy - an enemy that does not like our presencethere because they do not like the idea of America denying safe haven,"said Mr. Bush. The Bush administration has been urging othercountries to step up their troop commitments to Afghanistan, withFrance and Great Britain among those offering a positive response. Thereare about 32,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The Bush administrationhas told NATO allies it plans to send more troops in 2009. ButPresident Bush indicates some could go earlier, saying the numberremains under review. The top U.S. military officer, AdmiralMike Mullen, admits there are not enough coalition troops currently inAfghanistan to hold territory taken from the Taliban. He says NATOwill never be able to provide enough troops to do the job, and says hehopes to get extra American forces in as soon as they are available. "Idon't have troops I can reach for, brigades I can reach to send intoAfghanistan until I have a reduced requirement in Iraq," said AdmiralMullen. "And we're on an increasingly positive path in Iraq, in lots ofdimensions, and so I'm hopeful towards the end of the yearopportunities like that would be created." But Admiral Mullensays he does not have a specific timeline for sending more U.S. troopsto Afghanistan. The admiral also welcomes Pakistan's effort during thepast week to crack down on militants in its tribal areas, along theAfghan border. He says it is important for Pakistan to sustain thateffort in order to deny insurgents the safe havens they have been usingto launch attacks on Afghanistan.