ermany and Britain call for an international security conference on Afghanistan following another controversial NATO airstrike

Germany and Britain are calling for a UN conference on Afghanistan to help prepare the local government to take on more reponsibility for security. Speaking after talks in Berlin, Angela Merkel and Gordon Brown said the aim would eventually be to reduce the international engagement in that area. The international mission in Afghanistan has come under heavy criticism after a NATO air strike last week that local officials say killed at least 20 civillians. German troops ordered the strike, and Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung is having to answer some tough questions about the incident.