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KABUL (AP) Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere says Afghans and the international community must focus sharply on improving the competence of the newly elected government of Afghanistan.

In a stop in the Afghan capital Wednesday to see President Hamid Karzai and other officials, Stoere said there is no political issue in Afghanistan that can be solved by sending in more troops.

Stoere cautioned against taking too gloomy an outlook on the situation in Afghanistan but said the nation is too dependent on international assistance. He said much needs to be improved on the international side, but that military, civilian and economic assistance from donor nations can be no better than the quality of the Afghan government.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-11-09 0738CST | save this article / add to your favorites list