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/ 11 December 2006
European Union foreign ministers wrangled on Monday over how hard to penalise Turkey for failing to normalise trade with Cyprus at the start of a week that could derail Ankara’s troubled entry negotiations. EU countries are split between some who would shed no tears if talks collapsed and others who say Europe must embrace a key strategic partner to bridge the Western and Islamic worlds.
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/ 28 September 2006
Nato defence chiefs were set on Thursday to agree to assume command of peacekeeping across all of insurgency hit Afghanistan next month despite some allies’ concerns over tactics and troop shortfalls. The move into eastern Afghanistan could take effect quickly because it would largely involve placing under Nato command about 12 000 mostly United States forces already in the region.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Friday he could raise 15Â 000 troops for a UN peace force in Lebanon as European nations overcame their reluctance to send soldiers. Italy pledged up to 3Â 000 troops, France 2Â 000, Spain up to 1Â 200 troops and Poland a slightly smaller contingent.