U.S., NATO Officials to Discuss Afghanistan Strategy in London
David Sessions
Washington Reporter
Posted:
09/29/09
NATO and British Defense Ministry officials deny an orchestrated "summit" for discussing Afghanistan, but all of the top power players in the war will convene in London this week for speeches and strategy discussions. American Gen. Stanley McChrystal will deliver a speech to military experts, and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and NATO's top commander in Europe, Admiral James Stavridis, will attend.
The meetings come at a crucial point in the conflict, as pressure increases on President Obama to choose a new strategy in Afghanistan, and as European nations respond to disapproval of the war in their countries. Rasmussen, who is in Washington this week, has stressed Europe's desire to use their troops for training Afghan security forces rather than combat. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown responded to his own military commanders' desire for more combat troops by saying Britain would only supply additional troops for training purposes.
Top U.S., NATO Officials Tackle Afghan War in London [Reuters]
The meetings come at a crucial point in the conflict, as pressure increases on President Obama to choose a new strategy in Afghanistan, and as European nations respond to disapproval of the war in their countries. Rasmussen, who is in Washington this week, has stressed Europe's desire to use their troops for training Afghan security forces rather than combat. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown responded to his own military commanders' desire for more combat troops by saying Britain would only supply additional troops for training purposes.
Top U.S., NATO Officials Tackle Afghan War in London [Reuters]