What appeal has Kofi Annan made to NATO? [originaltext] UN Secretary General

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged NATO to keep its promise and send more troops to Afghanistan to ensure the country’s general elections can take place as planned. Mr. Annan made the appeal at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York Friday. He said preparations for the September ballot are proceeding smoothly, but there are not enough troops on the ground to assure security. Mr. Annan’s comment came as Afghan President Hamid Karzai made a similar appeal. Meanwhile violence in the war-torn country continues. Two U. S. Marines were killed and one wounded late Thursday during clashes with Islamic militants in eastern Kunar Province.