Gates, who flew in from Washington, was to hold two days of talks with fellow defence ministers amid growing trans-Atlantic tensions over persistent shortfalls in troops and equipment for the 40,000-strong force at a time of rising violence.

But Gates also has been pushing for a strategic vision that lays out what NATO-led ISAF force should achieve over a three to five year period, with benchmarks against which progress can be measured, the official.

While no draft has yet been presented, Gates envisions it as a simply written two to three-page master document "that explains why we're there, what we're doing and how we are going to help the Afghan government meet its goals," the official said.

The official, who briefed reporters traveling with Gates on condition of anonymity, said the document would not recommend overhauling ISAF but would set three broad tasks -- improving security, economic development and governance.

Gates sees the vision statement as a way to communicate both to Afghanistan and to skittish publics of NATO member countries why they should support the mission, which has had only tepid backing.

He was scheduled to meet with British Defence Minister Des Browne shortly after arriving.

Gates was to have dinner with other defense ministers from Britain, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia and Romania -- all countries with troops fighting Taliban insurgents in southern Iraq.

Fuller talks will be held Friday, officials said.

Violence in the southern sector has climbed sharply since ISAF took over more than a year ago, but NATO allies have been reluctant to provide additional troops and equipment for what is emerging as a full-blown insurgency.

Among the promised forces that have so far failed to materialize are three infantry battalions, some 3,000 trainers primarily for the police, and about 20 helicopters.

The US military has filled the gaps by providing a maneuver battalion and holding over a helicopter unit.

The officials said the helicopter unit -- which includes medium, heavy lift and attack helicopters -- will shift in February to US counter-terrorist forces operating alongside ISAF.

The helicopters could still be used by ISAF in emergencies, they said.

Testifying this week before the US Congress, Gates expressed growing impatience with NATO's failure to meet commitments made last year a summit in Riga.

"My own view is I'm not ready to let NATO off the hook in Afghanistan at this point," it said.

He was backed up by Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who made it clear that the United States does not have forces to spare in Afghanistan.

"Our main focus militarily in the region and in the world right now is rightly and firmly in Iraq," he said. "In Afghanistan we do what we can. In Iraq we do what we must."

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