Allies agree to longer command rotations in Afghan south: US

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The Netherlands and Britain have agreed to lengthen command rotations in southern Afghanistan in response to concerns that short tours are hampering military operations against the Taliban, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday.

Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said the allies agreed in telephone conversations with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates to extend their command rotations from nine to 12 months when Canada hands over command of the south to the Netherlands in November.

The agreement falls short of a proposal favored by General Dan McNeill, the commander of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan, that a single country be put in charge of military operations in the turbulent south.

"I am in favor of a dialogue by the...