But, I understand you did speak with the deputy commander of NATO forces in the south?

NPR: NATO Beats Taliban in Battle, Works to Win War

He's Deputy Commander of NATO forces in the south, speaking with me here in Kandahar.

NPR: NATO Beats Taliban in Battle, Works to Win War

For forces deployed defensively, using limited active-duty units and relying on rapid mobilization in the event of warforces such as those in NATO (especially during the Cold War) and in South Korea and Israel-time is of the essence, and mobilization delays can have strategic consequences.

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But from my understanding there's been many countries that have been putting pressure on Pakistan and on Musharraf to do more against the Taliban, especially since the NATO countries have come into Afghanistan and taken over control of the south.

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Differences over that conflict and Russia's subsequent recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia strained relations between NATO and Russia.

CNN: NATO, Russia to resume military relationship

Canadian troops currently serving in the south under US command, but who will make up one of the key components of the Nato force there in the New Year, have been hit by suicide bombers three times in recent weeks.

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If you have the right identity card, you can cross the bridge from the south, through at least three separate lines of Nato troops.

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Nato Secretary General Lord Robertson and Douglas Alexander, MP for Paisley South and the son of Mr Dewar's close friend the Rev Douglas Alexander were also there.

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