Rice Presses Allies to Boost Afghan Aid

NATO, Europe Urged to Join U.S. in Increasing Commitments of Money and Manpower

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, citing the $10.6 billion in new aid that the Bush administration proposes to give Afghanistan, pressed NATO and European allies Friday to increase their contributions of money and manpower.

Rice's push came as concern grows over the resurgence of the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, massive increases in opium production and rising tension between Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, where Taliban leaders and fighters have been allowed refuge.

"Nations that have made pledges of support should follow through and deliver," Rice told a meeting of NATO foreign ministers here. They had assembled at her request to address what the United States calls an urgent need to bolster the Afghan government's security and development efforts before the Taliban begins even more intensive attacks in the spring, when snows melt and mountainous border areas become more passable.

Her appeals elicited nearly universal agreement on the need for more aid, but no country made a large new offer.....