Some European states were more willing to contribute troops to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo or to an alliance rapid response force than to take on combat roles in the Afghan war, Craddock told a congressional hearing.

"And what that does is (leaves) short our requirements on the ground and leave forces unfilled (in Afghanistan)," Craddock told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"So I think that there is a risk aversion in NATO that we must continue to address and push nations," he said.

The general said the trend threatened to produce a divided alliance with some members unwilling to commit troops in a combat role.

"But I will say that if we devolve or get to a two tier (NATO), it will weaken the alliance and we will have much work to do," Craddock said.

"And we have to get ourselves arranged for the next mission, the next operation that we send our forces to.

"We should not do another one arranged like this one in NATO."

The US general said military chiefs from European states were under political restrictions that prevented them from contributing combat troops.

"Generally they want to contribute," he said. "They feel they have the ability and capability. But politically they are constrained."

He said the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission was short of troops in southern Afghanistan, which has seen the worst violence from a growing insurgency.

"We don't have enough forces right now between the Afghan Security Forces trained and in place and ISAF to be able to clear out the insurgents and then hold that (territory), so that development and reconstruction can occur," he said.

"And that's why the additional United States contributions will go into the south," said Craddock, referring to 17,000 US reinforcements due to deploy before elections in August.

About 75,000 foreign forces are now deployed in Afghanistan, including some 38,000 American troops.

Craddock, who has served as supreme allied commander since 2006, is due to be replaced by US Admiral James Stavridis, who has been recommended by Defense Secretary Robert Gates for the post.

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Bishkek (AFP) March 5, 2009
Kyrgyzstan is ready to talk to the United States about keeping open an airbase used to support operations in Afghanistan, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was quoted on Thursday as saying.