Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
NATO allies offer 7,000 extra troops for Afghan war
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Video
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Six more U.S. banks closed
12:26am EST
Obama surprises with Copenhagen summit decision
04 Dec 2009
Poland okays forcible castration for pedophiles
25 Sep 2009
Italian court hands Knox 26 years for Briton's murder
| Video
04 Dec 2009
The FBI agent inside the Galleon case
04 Dec 2009
Six more U.S. banks closed
12:26am EST
Obama to attend end of Copenhagen summit
04 Dec 2009
Somali sea gangs lure investors at pirate lair
01 Dec 2009
PPR raises $1.22 billion in CFAO IPO
02 Dec 2009
Yahoo sees exponential growth in mobile ads
03 Dec 2009
NATO allies offer 7,000 extra troops for Afghan war
Luke Baker and Andrew Quinn
BRUSSELS
Fri Dec 4, 2009 7:56pm EST
Related News
Q+A: Understanding Obama's Afghan strategy
Fri, Dec 4 2009
Related Video
Selling the Afghanistan war
Fri, Dec 4 2009
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Twenty-five NATO allies promised on Friday to send about 7,000 more troops to Afghanistan, backing U.S. President Barack Obama's new war strategy and reinforcing efforts to defeat the Taliban.
World
The extra commitment fell short of the 10,000 troops Pentagon officials had originally hoped for and did not account for some 4,900 Dutch and Canadian troops already due to leave the field in 2010 and 2011.
After a day of meetings to sell Obama's new strategy, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was pleased with "significant contributions" of both combat troops and trainers, which Washington hopes will allow Afghan forces to begin taking over security responsibility by mid-2011.
"This is a crucial test for NATO which has been the greatest and most successful military alliance in history," Clinton told a news conference, thanking NATO members for their contribution.
The White House welcomed NATO's announcement, saying in a statement, "These new commitments demonstrate strong support for President Obama's decision on Afghanistan and Pakistan and the firm resolve of NATO allies and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) partners to succeed in our shared mission."
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said more countries could join the 25 promising to contribute new troops in the next few months.
On a visit to Washington, Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said Budapest would add 200 soldiers to the 340 troops it already had in Afghanistan working in reconstruction and training.
Despite the headline figure of 7,000 extra forces announced by Rasmussen, a breakdown of the numbers provided by NATO sources showed pledges for only 5,500 troops, with 1,500 more to be confirmed later.
Of the 5,500, at least 1,500 are already in the country and will not now be withdrawn as planned, NATO sources said.
The Canadian and Dutch withdrawals, which will see some of the most battle-hardened forces leave, will also dent the non-U.S. contribution, U.S. officials conceded.
The move follows Obama's decision on Tuesday to send 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, an attempt to turn the tide in the eight-year war.
Rasmussen said the extra troops, which would raise the total number of foreign forces in Afghanistan to around 140,000, would help to tackle the insurgency, but would not be enough to defeat it alone. "There are no silver bullets, no magic solutions."
"It will still take more time, more commitment and more patience to reach our shared goal," he said.
MORE TRAINERS NEEDED
Rasmussen laid out what he called a new road map for NATO operations, involving more soldiers, more aid and more training for Afghan security forces, as well as efforts to reintegrate Taliban fighters who agree to lay down their arms.
Even with the extra manpower, the NATO alliance faces a struggle to coordinate its efforts and regain the upper hand against an insurgency that has expanded into previously stable regions of Afghanistan and built strongholds inside Pakistan.
France and Germany appear more willing to send trainers than combat troops but have said they will only take a decision on any further commitment after a conference on Afghanistan to be held in London on January 28.
NATO still needs more than 200 extra police and military training teams to boost Afghan forces so they can eventually take over security and allow foreign forces to withdraw.
Clinton suggested the United States believed at least some of those trainers could also help fight on the ground.
"Training is not only about the beginning of military preparation," she said. "It also includes partnering those troops, mentoring those troops, and going into combat with those troops."
But she reassured allies their commitment would not need to be open-ended.
"The need for additional forces is urgent, but their presence will not be indefinite," she said, noting Obama's timeline called for Afghans to begin taking over in July 2011.
"At that time, we will begin to transfer authority and responsibility to Afghan security forces, removing combat forces from Afghanistan over time with the assurance that Afghanistan's future, and ours, is secure," Clinton said.
U.S. officials have been scrambling to back away from suggestions that mid-2011 has been set as a firm date for the start of a troop withdrawal, even if some of the extra U.S. troops being sent could start to pull out by then.
Rasmussen said any withdrawal should not be seen as the international coalition abandoning the country.
"Transition doesn't mean exit," he said. "There should be no misunderstanding: we are not going to leave Afghanistan to fall back into the hands of terrorists and the extremists who host them. It will not happen."
World
More from Reuters
Six more U.S. banks closed
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Regulators seized six more U.S. banks on Friday, bringing the tally of failures to 130 this year as the bank industry continues to suffer under the weight of deteriorating loans.
U.S. recovery appears firmer as unemployment drops
GM Chairman Whitacre shakes up senior management
Italian court hands Knox 26 years for Briton's murder
| Video
Rally may have legs, but beware of Scrooge
Geithner: Can shift "substantial" bailout funds to jobs
» More Top News
special report:
Most feared man on Wall St?
FBI Special Agent B.J. Kang was there for the arrests of Bernie Madoff and Raj Rajaratnam. Who's next? According to court documents and industry sources, Kang may be focusing in on Steven Cohen and hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors. Full Article
Video: FBI may be eyeing SAC capital
Five facts about SAC Capital Advisors
corporate crime
Our new home
We’ve rebuilt Reuters.com to make the site faster and easier to use, whether you want a quick glance at the top headlines or a longer deep dive into a topic that’s important to you. Full Article
Video Tour
© Copyright 2009 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts.com
Buyouts Europe:
Buyouts Conferences:
Venture Capital Journal
ECVJ
International Financing Review
International Securitisation Report
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Saturday, 5 December 2009 US allies offer 7,000 troops for Afghan surge
Turncoat Mafia hitman alleges Berlusconi mob links
Reuters launches website overhaul
Iranian group: health care blocked at Iraq camp
US-TECH Summary
UN 'to probe alleged climate change cover-up'
Iraqis defy bomb threat to attend movie nights
Kate Beckinsale Gets Glam And Vamp In New Vodka Campaign Shots
"Friends" Named The Decade's Most Watched Show On TV
Plagiarism Suit Against "Breaking Dawn" Author Stephenie Meyer Dismissed
There's something in the air: augmented reality
George Clooney's "Up In The Air" Wins NBR Best Film
Egypt Nile ferries collide, 80 believed missing
|
Sudanese who deny Darfur crimes may be charged: ICC
|
Iraqi counterterror chief falls to his prey
Jay-Z And Alicia Keys Spend Another Week At #1 With "Empire State Of Mind"
Two Rwandan peacekeepers killed in Darfur: U.N.
|
CIA can expand using drones in Pakistan: report
Ronnie Wood Arrested On Suspicion Of Assaulting Girlfriend
Israeli stalling blocks Shalit deal: Hamas
Roman Polanski To Move To House Arrest After Posting $4.5 Million Bail
Beyonce, Taylor Swift Lead Grammy Nods List
There's something in the air: augmented reality
|
Senior Kashmir separatist wounded: Indian police
France offers to sell artillery, tanks to India
Canada PM speaks out on rights in China
Gunmen wound Kashmir separatist who favored talks
US, Russia uphold 'spirit' of expiring nuclear pact
3 injured in false fire alarm at Indonesia airport
Italian jurors consider verdicts in sex murder trial
Campaign manager for ex-Conn. rep accused of theft
US Marines launch large offensive
Woman Tackled, Trampled By Deer Stampede
Suicide attackers kill 35 at Pakistan mosque
Polanski takes refuge in Swiss chalet
US Marines launch large offensive in Afghanistan
Police search for man linked to 4 Wis. slayings
AP NewsAlert
Michael Jackson Tops Most Searched Term On Internet
Va. Tech report details new fumbles in shooting
Myanmar court agrees to hear Suu Kyi's appeal
Federal Agents Step Up Manhunt For Thanksgiving Day Murderer
Homeowner Association Threatens WWII Vet With Legal Action Over Flagpole
Moderates seek greater health care cost controls
Gibbs: Obama encouraged by new employment report
Washington Presses Iran About Former FBI Agent Missing Since 2007
Burglary Suspect: 'I Didn't Know They Were Dead'
NY terminals evacuated when wired box found on jet
Jurors Hear Confession Tape In Wimberly Trial; Defense Says Tape Proves Insanity Plea
South Carolina Impeachment Panel Dismisses 28 Of 37 Ethics Charges Against Gov. Sanford
Senate Official: Tiger Has The Answers
Third Person Charged With Assisting Clemmons In Eluding Police
NYC Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex to close
|
Sony, Disney executives top Hollywood power list
|
Edgar Allen Poe book from 1827 sells for $662,500
|
Pakistan stocks end down after attack; rupee eases
Friendlier Obama tune on Cuba brings musical detente
|
'Tis the season for nightmarish traffic in Lebanon
Roman Polanski released to house arrest in Swiss chalet
Russian classic inspires Indian star to pen script
Strike keeps French museums shut, Louvre reopens
Twisted Sister guitarist recovers from surgery
Film star Richard Todd dies at 90
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annex in NYC closing
Secret of Stradivarius violin varnish picked apart
Fla. judge wants footage in 'Girls Gone Wild' suit
Chinese Premier Scolds Canadian Prime Minister For Taking Too Long To Visit Beijing
Woman Tackled, Trampled By Deer Stampede
English Teen Has 'Super' Long Name
Two Rwandan peacekeepers killed in Darfur ambush
Firework blaze in Russian club kills at least 101
|
OPEC should maintain output: Arab oil ministers
102 dead in Russian restaurant fire
NATO allies offer 7,000 extra troops for Afghan war
|
Dozens of militants attack Pakistan army checkpoint
|
Egypt Nile ferries collide, 80 believed missing
Apple acquires music service Lala
, Microsoft ink Web search agreement
76 dead in Russian cafe blast: report
US lauds wealth of Afghanistan troop pledges
Hospitalized Thai King makes rare public appearance
|
Turncoat Mafia hitman alleges Berlusconi mob links
US jobs picture improves, unemployment dips to 10 percent
Ecosia search engine fights climate change
Twelve die in drug war shootouts in Mexico
|
Iran rejects IAEA transparency demand on atom sites
Microsoft search engine Bing suffers brief outage
Iraqi counterterror chief falls to his prey
Taiwan's China-friendly party on test in local poll
|
Colombia says Venezuela destroys bridge, holds soldier
|
Philippines imposes martial law in massacre province
|
Sony, Disney executives top Hollywood power list
Apple mute on Lala plans
|
George Washington letter sells for record $3.2M
Obama boosts climate talks with change of plans
Thai king leaves hospital for birthday celebrations
Congress Gets Push To Resist Pressure To Weaken Investor Protection Reforms
Transcript shows man claiming to be spy helped FBI
China swine flu death toll reaches 200
Lawyer: Blagojevich will testify at his own trial
4 US teens held for attempted murder in Japan: police
Man who left water for immigrants faces prison
Indonesia police probe deadly karaoke club fire
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 852
Hospitalised Thai King makes rare public appearance
Kremlin agrees with US to maintain expiring pact
Japan chooses new envoy to Taiwan: lawmaker
Another arrest in Washington police shooting case
Rice an unlikely global warming culprit
Ind. parents grieve slain son, as teen son charged
Philippines imposes martial law in massacre province
North Korea talks seen unlikely to end arms stalemate
Dozens of militants attack Pakistan army checkpoint
GM, Chinese partner join forces in India
OECD urges India to loosen foreign investment curbs
Rolling Stone magazine to launch restaurant, lounge
Spielberg drops 'Harvey' remake
Rich nations must show sensitivity on climate: World Bank
Japan plans huge stimulus package next week
Malaysia's exports rise 1.6% in October: ministry
Vietnam donors up aid pledge by 33 percent: government
Fans kept guessing about Jackson 4 reunion
|
Anvil rocks film documentary awards
|
Invictus achieves its goal without digging deep
|
Could London lose 'libel capital of the world' crown?
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Kylie Minogue to release New York live set
|
"Anvil" rocks film documentary awards
Elvis Costello enjoys TV role as carnival barker
|
20 killed in Indonesian amusement center fire
Police quiz suspects in fatal Indonesian bar fire
Tom Brokaw unhurt in NY highway wreck that kills 1
Singer Blige feels "Stronger" with each challenge
Singer Blige feels Stronger with each challenge
|
NYC Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex to close
Kylie Minogue to release New York live set
Washington letter, Poe book set auction records
New Caribbean art showcased during Art Basel fair
Elvis Costello enjoys TV role as "carnival barker"
Google buys online collaboration startup
Saudi investors shrug off Dubai debt crisis
Guinea on edge after attack on junta leader
|
About a dozen missing after Egypt ferries collide
|
Iran says needs 20 nuclear sites: report
|
Anti-China opposition gains ground in Taiwan local election
|
Turkish commanders in court to testify in plot probe
|
Nothing will fill hole in our lives, say Kerchers
|
Accidental blast kills 3 in NW Pakistan
1 more body found after Bangladesh boat capsizes
Obama: efforts aimed at economy's long-term health
The nation's weather
Lawmakers get little reaction to Obama's war plan
Protests in Kashmir over separatist shooting
Little resistance in new US-Afghan offensive
Asian nations confident despite tough World Cup draw
Indonesian police arrest alleged kangaroo smuggler
LA Episcopal diocese may elect first gay bishop
Japan fans expect tough fight after World Cup draw
1 killed, 2 injured in Texas refinery accident
Ex-UN weapons inspector condemns Blair, Bush on Iraq
AP NewsAlert
Maldives gets 92.5 million dollar bailout from IMF
Indian court deals blow to Anil Ambani gas project
NKorea orders soldiers to shoot defectors: report
Pakistani c.bank buys 147.8 bln rupees of govt paper
Beware the great 'greenwashing' con, experts warn
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights