NATO chief urges countries to halt defense cuts

[unhappycamper]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gMoTpdT4TbEKGLbgPI_wiHCDhbCg?docId=6cbb06413cb743fd90404ab3b9bbb624


NATO chief urges countries to halt defense cuts
By By DON MELVIN and LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press – 19 minutes ago

BRUSSELS (AP) — The head of NATO urged member countries Thursday to stop cutting their defense budgets in response to tough economic times, saying continued reductions will compromise the safety of all of the military alliance's 28 members.

"It is of course a matter of concern that we have seen and continue to see declining defense budgets all over the alliance," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on his way into a two-day meeting of NATO country defense ministers.

"My appeal to governments is, firstly, hold the line, stop the cuts," Fogh Rasmussen said. "Secondly, make more efficient use of the resources we do have, through more multinational cooperation. And thirdly, once the economies recover, start to increase defense investments again."

The defense secretaries will consider ways for their countries to cooperate more effectively on defense procurement in order to get the most value for the money being spent. Fogh Rasmussen said that, in this time of austerity, it is essential for nations to get the best value for taxpayers' money — and working together is the best way to do that.



unhappycamper comment: Since the US pays 72% of NATO's Afghanistan occupation costs and the tea-baggers are being obdurate, that's pretty good advice.

[Angry Dragon]

1. I wonder what he is paid per year ...........