SYDNEY, April 07, SPA -- Australia is considering sending moremilitary trainers to Afghanistan as part of U.S.-ledefforts to bolster coalition troops in the troubledcountry, the Foreign Minister said Tuesday. Stephen Smith said the question of adding to Australia's1,100-strong troop deployment in Afghanistan would bediscussed at annual talks between the foreign and defenseministers from Australia and the United States on Thursdayin Washington. While details have not been announced, Australia is widelyexpected to agree to send more troops after a formalrequest is made from Washington. Smith signaled Tuesday that planning was already under wayfor a new deployment, according to a report carried today by Associated Press. «In some respects ... we've moved beyond the issue of aformal invitation,» Smith told Sky News television. «Wewill expect that in the near future. It's now a matter forus to carefully work through what we regard as being inAustralia's national interest.» Smith said the country was «looking not just to thepossibility of a military contribution or a furthersecurity contribution for election purposes, but also thecapacity building and training.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/652018