U.S. frustration high on NATO's unmet Afghan pledges

By Kristin Roberts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NATO's failure to deliver on pledges made to Afghanistan has frustrated the United States and raised questions in Washington about Europe's commitment to that war, according to U.S. officials.

Military commanders in Afghanistan face significant and long-standing shortfalls in troops, equipment and trainers for Afghan forces.

While the United States has stepped in to cover some of those needs, U.S. officials say they might not renew added commitments unless European partners fulfil their promises.

"We have been very direct with a number of the NATO allies about the need to meet the commitments they made" at a NATO meeting in Riga, Latvia, last year, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.

"I've made pretty clear I'll be loath to make further extensions where somebody else is not fulfilling the requirement," he told reporters last week.

The Pentagon chief has also signalled to the U.S. Congress he may take concrete steps to demonstrate his frustration.

"The secretary is wrestling with the idea of making a provocative move that would make it clear to our allies that he has just about run out of patience," a senior defence official said. The official would not elaborate.

Next week marks the first anniversary of NATO taking control of operations throughout Afghanistan. It also marks a year of unfilled requirements that military officers say hurt their ability to combat a resurgent Taliban.