NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Kabul last year (epa)
BRUSSELS, May 23, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer says NATO has "a long-term commitment in Afghanistan" and it would be "irresponsible" for the alliance to leave.
De Hoop Scheffer was speaking in Taranto, Italy, where he was attending a NATO naval exercise.
In Brussels, NATO spokesman James Appathurai said recent attacks on NATO soldiers in northern Afghanistan will not affect the alliance's resolve.
Appathurai said the attacks show that nowhere in Afghanistan is the security situation fully stable.
RFE/RL Afghanistan Report
RFE/RL Afghanistan Report
SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on Afghanistan by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report."