NATO GOVERNMENTS ARE READY TO EXTEND A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR AFRICAN PEACEKEEPERS IN DARFUR UNTIL SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AS PART OF A DRIVE TO BRING PEACE TO SUDAN'S WAR-TORN REGION, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER SAID TUESDAY, according to dpa. SCHEFFER RULED OUT ANY DEPLOYMENT OF NATO FORCES IN DARFUR BUT SAID ADVISORS AND COMMUNICATION, LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT EXPERTS FROM THE ALLIANCE COULD BE DEPLOYED. "THERE WILL NOT BE A NATO FORCE ON THE GROUND ... THAT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR," SCHEFFER SAID. HOWEVER, THE ALLIANCE, WHICH IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE US TO STEP UP ITS ROLE IN DARFUR, WOULD DO "WHAT THE MARKET CAN BEAR," SCHEFFER SAID. "THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT IS COMPLEX," HE SAID, ADDING IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE NATO OPERATION HAD THE FULL BACKING OF THE AFRICAN UNION AND THE UNITED NATIONS. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AHEAD OF A MEETING OF NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS IN SOFIA ON APRIL 27-28, SCHEFFER SAID THE ALLIANCE HAD AGREED ON EXTENDING ITS DARFUR OPERATION BUT STILL NEEDED TO TALK TO SENIOR AFRICAN UNION OFFICIALS ABOUT THE MISSION. --More 2352 Local Time 2052 GMT
