Ottawa is asking for NATO's help as the Canadian Forces gears up for a peacekeeping mission in war-torn Afghanistan that is expected to involve as many as 2,800 soldiers.

"This is certainly a matter that Canada is discussing with our NATO allies," Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham told reporters outside the House of Commons Friday.

"France is not of the view, because it's an out-of-area mission, that a NATO mission would be appropriate there. We believe that there's a good opportunity to collaborate with NATO so we'd like to consider exploring it."

Earlier this month, Graham announced that Canada would take over command of the 4,000-member UN force in Afghanistan. Canada's contribution includes a brigade headquarters and a battlegroup.

The decision rankled some members of the forces who felt that the Prime Minister's Office failed to consult key stakeholders within the military. Maj.-Gen. Cameron Ross, director-general of international security policy, resigned over the decision.

The international force in Kabul is dedicated to peacekeeping but their work involves a significant amount of danger. So far, peacekeepers have been the target of a series of attacks by rebels and 14 have died on duty -- seven in a helicopter crash.

Critics say Canada's cash-strapped military does not have the financial resources to support a brigade-level headquarters which could require a field hospital, air transport capabilities, and an airport security force.

A high-level source within the government leaked portions of a Feb. 3 memo written by deputy chief, Vice-Admiral Greg Maddison to the chief of defence staff, Gen. Ray Henault.

The memo says the Afghan mission was "not viable with Canada as the lead nation" without multinational support.

"If NATO and/or another nation contributed forces to offset the deficiencies . . . inherent to the option of Canada as lead nation, a binational lead nation structure could be developed to make this option viable," said the memo, read to The Canadian Press.

Meanwhile, U.S. and NATO officials are talking about a greater role for the alliance in Afghanistan -- perhaps going as far as taking control of the mission that is currently being run out of Kabul.

Since the Taliban regime in Afghanistan fell in December 2001, the command of peacekeeping forces has rotated among participating countries.

Germany and the Netherlands assumed control of the 22-country force two weeks ago. The Germans have suggested that NATO take over when its mandate ends in six months.

"What is being proposed is that NATO would do more for the next deployment involving Canada," NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson said Thursday.

"We'll be examining that over next few weeks to see whether there is a consensus on it, whether it makes sense, how best the job can be done."

For his part, Defence Minister John McCallum said the potential involvement of NATO was a positive development that could provide Ottawa with much needed support.

"Canada, along with other countries, has been pushing for a NATO commitment to these missions in Afghanistan because it would ensure their continuity," McCallum said, adding a long-term commitment is critical.

With a report from The Canadian Press