NATO back Obama Afghan plan, but troops short-term

Source: Reuters

STRASBOURG (Reuters) - President Barack Obama won NATO backing on Saturday for his new approach to Afghanistan but his European allies stopped short of offering long-term troop deployments for the war effort.

Leaders of the 28-nation military alliance pledged at a summit to send 3,000 more troops on short-term assignments to boost security for August 20 elections in Afghanistan, and some 2,000 more personnel to train Afghan security forces.

They also promised to send 300 paramilitary police trainers and provide $600 million (405 million pounds) to finance the Afghan army and civilian assistance, Obama said.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said allies were united in support for the strategy championed by Obama, who favours a regional approach to Afghanistan with a stepped-up civilian effort and training of Afghan security forces.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/UKNews1/idUKTRE5331NP20090404

No interest in the news of the day. But John Edward's mistress troubles ...

this will be obamas vietnam.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6032342.ece

So which is it? Is Europe hedging its bets knowing that Afghanistan is a lost cause?

that ought to please congress.

last number I saw $600 billion is enough for about 3 days.