NATO: No more troops to Afghanistan now

[unhappycamper]

NATO: No more troops to Afghanistan now
By Slobodan Lekic and Vanessa Gera - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 23, 2009 5:59:23 EDT

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Two NATO members said Friday they will not send more troops to Afghanistan unless its Nov. 7 presidential runoff creates a legitimate government and until President Barack Obama decides on a new strategy there.

Dutch Defense Minister Eimert Van Middelkoop said his country, with 2,160 troops in Afghanistan, is awaiting the final election results “because the legitimacy of the Afghan government is key,” as well as a decision by the Obama administration.

“I think most countries are waiting for the American decisions,” van Middelkoop said at a meeting in Bratislava of the defense ministers of the 28 NATO countries.

The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, was briefing NATO ministers — including U.S. Defense Minister Robert Gates — on his view of the war in Afghanistan at the meeting.

Danish Defense Minister Soeren Gade said allies won’t increase troop levels until they’re assured the new government in Kabul is committed to the NATO goals.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_nato_afghanistan_troops_102309/