Longer Afghan command tours not yet okayed: Pentagon
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The governments of the Netherlands and Britain have not yet approved a plan to lengthen command tours in southern Afghanistan, a Pentagon spokesman said Thursday, backing away from an earlier assertion.
While Dutch and British defense ministers agree that extending the command tours from nine to 12 months "would provide more stability and predictability, this is not yet a done deal," said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary.
"The preliminary agreement among the ministers of defense must still be formally approved by the Dutch and British governments, as well as the NATO secretary general," he said.
"We have no indication that will be a problem, but we have yet to get a final blessing on this improved rotation schedule," he said.
Morrell on Wednesday said the two countries had agreed on lengthening the command tours in turbulent southern Afghanistan in response to concerns that the shorter tours were hampering military operations.
