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Afghan focus of US-Nato meeting Afghan focus of US-Nato meeting
(29 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama is to hold talks with the head of Nato to discuss the way forward for the embattled Afghan mission.US President Barack Obama is to hold talks with the head of Nato to discuss the way forward for the embattled Afghan mission.
On Monday Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged the US not to doubt its allies' commitment, but said change was needed to ensure success in Afghanistan.On Monday Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged the US not to doubt its allies' commitment, but said change was needed to ensure success in Afghanistan.
The talks come a day before Mr Obama meets advisers to discuss a new strategy for the war-torn nation.The talks come a day before Mr Obama meets advisers to discuss a new strategy for the war-torn nation.
They follow a request from the top US general on the ground for more troops.They follow a request from the top US general on the ground for more troops.
In a report submitted on Saturday, Gen Stanley McChrystal said that his mission in Afghanistan was likely to fail unless he was given more manpower.In a report submitted on Saturday, Gen Stanley McChrystal said that his mission in Afghanistan was likely to fail unless he was given more manpower.
But there are said to be divisions within the Obama administration over sending more troops, amid a drop in public support for the operation.But there are said to be divisions within the Obama administration over sending more troops, amid a drop in public support for the operation.
Rising troop deaths and the chaos over last month's election have contributed to the loss of confidence.Rising troop deaths and the chaos over last month's election have contributed to the loss of confidence.
'Things must change''Things must change'
On Monday, the Nato secretary general stopped short of endorsing Gen McChrystal's call for more manpower, saying that any decision on troops needed to be discussed within the alliance.On Monday, the Nato secretary general stopped short of endorsing Gen McChrystal's call for more manpower, saying that any decision on troops needed to be discussed within the alliance.
MARDELL'S AMERICA Some want to get back a strategy where the main aim is killing terrorists, not building a nation Mark Mardell BBC North America editor Read Mark's thoughts in fullMARDELL'S AMERICA Some want to get back a strategy where the main aim is killing terrorists, not building a nation Mark Mardell BBC North America editor Read Mark's thoughts in full
But in his speech Mr Rasmussen echoed the general's request for more resources to train Afghan troops and strengthen civilian institutions so that they could take on greater responsibility.But in his speech Mr Rasmussen echoed the general's request for more resources to train Afghan troops and strengthen civilian institutions so that they could take on greater responsibility.
"We cannot simply continue doing exactly what we are doing now. Things are going to have to change," he said."We cannot simply continue doing exactly what we are doing now. Things are going to have to change," he said.
He hit out at what he said were US doubts over its allies' commitment to the operation.He hit out at what he said were US doubts over its allies' commitment to the operation.
"I will not accept from anyone the argument that Europeans and Canadians are not paying the price for success in Afghanistan. They are," he said."I will not accept from anyone the argument that Europeans and Canadians are not paying the price for success in Afghanistan. They are," he said.
Mr Rasmussen will meet Mr Obama at the White House, a day before the US president meets his top security and defence advisers to discuss Afghanistan.Mr Rasmussen will meet Mr Obama at the White House, a day before the US president meets his top security and defence advisers to discuss Afghanistan.
US uncertaintyUS uncertainty
The US administration is said to be torn between increasing its troop presence - as requested by Gen McChrystal - and adopting a new strategy of focusing on crushing al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.The US administration is said to be torn between increasing its troop presence - as requested by Gen McChrystal - and adopting a new strategy of focusing on crushing al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
OBAMA'S AFGHAN POLICY Election campaign: Mr Obama says Afghanistan must be a priority and calls for more troops there, as well as political and economic progressFebruary 2009: Says he will send an extra 17,000 military personnel to Afghanistan this yearMarch: Announces an additional 4,000 US personnel will be deployed to help train Afghan police and armyMay: Backs Defence Secretary Robert Gates as he removes the US commander in Afghanistan, Gen David McKiernan and appoints Gen Stanley McChrystalAugust: Gen McChrystal warns Mr Obama in a report that the Afghan mission is likely to fail without more troops; urges a change in strategy to boost Afghan security forces and protect civiliansSept: Gen McChrystal formally asks for more troops; the Pentagon says the request is on hold while the Obama White House decides its overall Afghan strategy
Reports from Washington suggest that no decision on troops will be taken until there is agreement on the way forward.Reports from Washington suggest that no decision on troops will be taken until there is agreement on the way forward.
"This isn't going to be finished in one meeting. It's not going to be finished in several meetings," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs."This isn't going to be finished in one meeting. It's not going to be finished in several meetings," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
There are currently around 100,000 foreign soldiers in Afghanistan from more than 40 countries. More than 60,000 of them are American.There are currently around 100,000 foreign soldiers in Afghanistan from more than 40 countries. More than 60,000 of them are American.
The details of what Gen McChrystal has requested are not known, but analysts say he had been expected to submit of a range of options from 10,000 additional troops up to 40,000.The details of what Gen McChrystal has requested are not known, but analysts say he had been expected to submit of a range of options from 10,000 additional troops up to 40,000.
The Obama administration is saying it is taking a deliberate approach to sorting out the right strategy, reports BBC defence correspondent Nick Childs.The Obama administration is saying it is taking a deliberate approach to sorting out the right strategy, reports BBC defence correspondent Nick Childs.
But there is a sudden uncertainty in the administration's message, fuelled by a drop in public support for the conflict and new mutterings that the spectre of another Vietnam is looming, our correspondent adds.But there is a sudden uncertainty in the administration's message, fuelled by a drop in public support for the conflict and new mutterings that the spectre of another Vietnam is looming, our correspondent adds.