EU to send Afghanistan more cash, police trainers

America's European allies pledged to send more police trainers and cash to Afghanistan, but shied away from deploying more troops on a long-term basis in response to a renewed US Push to end the war.

America's European allies pledged to send more police trainers and cash to Afghanistan, but shied away from deploying more troops on a long-term basis in response to a renewed US Push to end the war.

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Meeting at a medieval Czech castle, European Union foreign ministers discussed ways on Friday to train Afghan security forces more quickly and effectively while keeping the 27-nation bloc's focus on rebuilding the battered country.

US Forces account for more than half of the estimated 65,000 international troops in the country, and President Barack Obama ordered 4,000 more US Combat troops there on Friday.

"Europe should do more," said Franco Frattini, Italy's foreign minister.

Frattini said Italy was ready to send Carabinieri officers to train Afghan police, and to deploy up to 250 troops. But those forces would stay only for a few months to help secure the country ahead of summer presidential elections.

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the EU presidency, said leaders would discuss specifics with Obama at next week's NATO summit in Strasbourg, France.