NATO discusses 'super envoy' for Afghanistan, Poland offers choppers

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
NATO foreign ministers Friday discussed the possible appointment of an international "super envoy" to better coordinate civilian and military efforts in Afghanistan. "Allies believe there is a need for greater coordination across the spectrum," alliance spokesman James Appathurai said. British media reports have suggested Lord Paddy Ashdown, a former international envoy in Bosnia, was being considered for the job, but Appathurai said no names had been discussed in the NATO talks. Meanwhile, Poland gave a boost to the NATO military mission in Afghanistan, offering eight helicopters to fill a key shortfall in the allied force of 41,000. The offer includes four aircraft for transport and four attack helicopters and a number of additional troops, Polish and NATO officials said.