Obama hails "outstanding" Nato outcome
Barack Obama thanks Nato allies after 3,000 extra troops pledged for Afghanistan during country's presidential elections
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Saturday, 04, Apr 2009 04:43
Barack Obama has thanked his Nato allies after 3,000 extra troops were pledged for Afghanistan during the country's presidential elections this summer.
The United States president, speaking in Strasbourg at the conclusion of a two-day summit, said the commitments were an "outstanding outcome".
Nato members had been meeting on the 60th anniversary of the alliance to discuss the war in Afghanistan and prepare for its first strategic review in a decade.
Britain, Germany, Spain and Portugal are among the countries committing troops for the Afghanistan elections, although the numbers pale in comparison to the 21,000 already pledged by President Obama.
But the president, who could raise the US military presence by a further 10,000 during the elections, said he was still very satisfied with what had been achieved, describing the commitments as a "strong down payment" on the Afghan war.
He said that Nato summits were designed to discuss strategy and not attract pledges.
"In the past we have lacked the resources needed to meet our goals," President Obama said.
"These commitments of troops, trainers and civilians represent the extra resources and sustained effort needed."
He went on to say: "Sixty years ago Nato was founded on a simple but solemn commitment - an attack on one is an attack on all. And today it represents the strongest alliance in history.
"All of us have a responsibility to do our part; America cannot meet global challenges alone, and neither can Europe without America."