Afghan security

The Group of Eight industrialized nations has recognized the need to stabilize Afghanistan in the wake of rising insurgent activity that has claimed more than 2,000 lives this year.

The foreign ministers of Japan, Germay, Italy, Great Britain, France, Russia and Canada joined the United States in agreeing that more needed to be done to secure Afghanistan's borders and protect the nation against Taliban-led militants.

They also called on Afghanistan's neighbors, including Iran and Pakistan, to play a "constructive role" in achieving Afghan stability. But key financial and military commitments were lacking.

The joint statement did not indicate any more reconstruction aid, although Japan has already promised $2 billion in aid and is considering other forms of assistance.

Germany had previously announced plans to add 1,000 troops to its contingent of forces, which would bring to 4,500 the number operating with NATO. But Germany also imposes restrictions on the deployment of its troops which keep them out of the fighting in the southern provinces.

Thursday's G-8 declaration came in the wake of warnings from U.S. military leaders about the sharp increase in militant attacks that are up 40 percent in the eastern provinces. Also on Thursday, three American servicemembers were killed in an attack south of Kabul, bringing to more than 50 the number of Americans killed in combat in Afghanistan this year.

"Violence is up this year by every single measure we look at," said Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Another 1,000 U.S. troops are expected to go to Afghanistan later this year, and military leaders are talking about sending more troops there as U.S. forces are reduced in Iraq.

The rest of the G-8 and other allies now need to back up their words with assistance.