Washington will remain committed to its military role in Afghanistan regardless of action against Iraq, but will soon shift from combat missions to maintaining stability, a senior U.S. defense official said on Sunday. Asked during a one-day visit to Kabul whether there would be a withdrawal of U.S. troops, especially special forces, from Afghanistan, to prepare for action against Iraq, Undersecretary for Defense Douglas Feith said:

"We have a responsibility to Afghanistan that the United States government is committed to fulfilling, no matter what happens elsewhere in the world."

The war on terror involved many activities globally, "but we'll be able to do them while we are fulfilling our basic responsibilities here in Afghanistan," he said.

Feith said the U.S. military's assistance would continue as long as required and any changes in force structure would be dictated by the tasks at hand.

"For example, there will undoubtedly, in the near future, be a shift toward more emphasis on stability operations," he said.

"As the requirements change from the focus on combat operations to stability operations, we will be doing more in the area of stability operations and we will be structured here accordingly."

At the same time, Feith said the United States would pursue remnants of the Taliban regime and al Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden, who Washington considers the mastermind of the September 11 attacks last year.

"We will preserve that focus. We will be continuing our work against them. And if they change their tactics or their approach, I am confident we will adapt as required."

PHOTO CAPTION

U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith gestures during a news conference at the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Sept. 29, 2002. Feith said Sunday that Washington will remain committed to its military role in Afghanistan regardless of any action against Iraq. (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)