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Obama aware of Afghan differences Obama 'not cutting' Afghan troops
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has said his decision on a new strategy in Afghanistan will not please everyone. US President Barack Obama has said his review of Afghan strategy will not look at pulling out or cutting troop levels.
He told key figures from Congress, gathered to discuss future US plans, that he would decide on a course of action with a sense of urgency. Mr Obama told key members of Congress, that he would decide on a course of action with a sense of urgency - but that not everyone would be pleased.
Democratic Senator Harry Reid said members from both parties told Mr Obama they would support his decision. But a source said he did not pledge to increase troop numbers as his top general in Afghanistan wants.
But Republican Senator Mitch McConnell stressed backing would depend on Mr Obama following his generals' advice. The meeting came on the eve of the eighth anniversary of the start of the US-led Afghan military operation.
The talks at the White House came as debate intensifies over whether the US should send more troops to Afghanistan. It was launched to oust the Taliban from Afghanistan following the 11 September attacks on the US.
'Rigorous and deliberate'
About 30 senior congressional figures - Democrats and Republicans - had been invited to the meeting with the US leader.
ANALYSIS Mark Mardell, BBC News, WashingtonANALYSIS Mark Mardell, BBC News, Washington
There appears to be a frustration that the review of strategy has some times been portrayed in black and white terms of a massive increase or reduction of troop numbers.There appears to be a frustration that the review of strategy has some times been portrayed in black and white terms of a massive increase or reduction of troop numbers.
As one administration official put it - it's not about doubling down or leaving.As one administration official put it - it's not about doubling down or leaving.
But it's going on too long for some Republicans, and members of the president's own party are dubious about committing more resources and military personnel to a conflict where there is no end in sight.But it's going on too long for some Republicans, and members of the president's own party are dubious about committing more resources and military personnel to a conflict where there is no end in sight.
The word Vietnam is heard more and more on Capitol Hill.The word Vietnam is heard more and more on Capitol Hill.
A US official, quoted by Reuters news agency, said of the meeting: "He... made it clear that his decision won't make everybody in the room or the nation happy, but underscored his commitment to work on a collaborative basis." Divisions are emerging between some Democrats concerned by the prospect of deploying more US forces to Afghanistan and some Republicans urging the Obama administration to follow the advice of top generals and increase troop levels.
About 30 senior congressional figures from both parties' leaderships and key House and Senate committees were involved. President Obama told the group that his assessment would be "rigorous and deliberate" and that he would continue to work with Congress in the best interests of US and international security.
Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that there had been some agreement but also some "diversity of opinion". According to one White House source, he told the meeting that he would not shrink the number of troops in Afghanistan or opt for a strategy of merely targeting al-Qaeda leaders.
She said that resources should not be deployed in Afghanistan without a strategy in place first. But he would not be drawn on sending additional troops - which his top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McCrystal, requested last week.
Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that there had been some agreement but also some "diversity of opinion" during the talks.
Former Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain urged Mr Obama to take heed of the advice given by generals on the ground.Former Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain urged Mr Obama to take heed of the advice given by generals on the ground.
An unnamed Obama administration official told reporters that the president would "be rigorous and deliberate, while moving forward with a sense of urgency". A US official, quoted by Reuters news agency, said of the meeting: "He... made it clear that his decision won't make everybody in the room or the nation happy, but underscored his commitment to work on a collaborative basis."
Speaking earlier, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr Obama considered it "tremendously important" to listen to Congress but that he would not be swayed by political considerations.
"The president is going to make a decision - popular or unpopular - based on what he thinks is in the best interests of the country," he said.
Last week the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the operation was "under-resourced" and a "dramatically different" strategy might be needed.
Afghan strategyAfghan strategy
Tuesday's meeting came a day after Defence Secretary Robert Gates said more time was needed to decide on Afghan troop deployment. The BBC's Mark Mardell, in Washington, says there appears to be a frustration that the review of strategy has some times been portrayed in black and white terms of a massive increase or reduction of troop numbers.
US media reflects bitter debate Indecision reveals uncertaintyUS media reflects bitter debate Indecision reveals uncertainty
Mr Gates said the president welcomed candid advice on Afghanistan, but added that it should be made in private - considered a mild rebuke after public remarks on Afghanistan by Gen McChrystal and other senior officials. Dr Anthony Cordesman, an adviser to General McCrystal, told the BBC the decision was much more complex than was being portrayed.
The defence secretary is believed to have an open mind on the direction of Afghan strategy. "It is a very big decision and it involves a great deal more than simply troop levels.
But the security situation in Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate, with Mr Gates saying the war was on a "worrisome trajectory". "There's a decision as to what strategy to pursue, how committed to stay in Afghanistan, how to deal with Nato and Isaf [International Assistance Security Force] allies, how to reshape the aid programme - and how to deal with the future of the Afghan government.
Eight US servicemen and two Afghan soldiers died on Sunday in an attack in Afghanistan's Nuristan province. "So this is much more than simply a military strategy decision."
The bodies of four of the Americans killed were brought back to Dover Air Force base in the US state of Delaware on Tuesday. 'Serious'
Covert operations Some 68,000 US troops are due in Afghanistan by the end of 2009 - some have already arrived.
The Obama administration is under increasing pressure to set out a revised policy on Afghanistan, where the conflict will shortly enter its ninth year. President Obama has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.
Divisions are emerging in Congress between some Democrats concerned by the prospect of deploying more US forces to Afghanistan and some Republicans urging the Obama administration to follow the advice of top generals and increase troop levels.
An alternative strategy would concentrate on targeting al-Qaeda and increasing covert operations and unmanned drone attacks. Vice-President Joe Biden is said to favour this approach.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Monday that the US was not considering pulling its troops out of Afghanistan.
Some 68,000 US troops are due in Afghanistan by the end of 2009.
Mr Obama met Gen McChrystal on Air Force One in Copenhagen last week.
The president has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.
Gen McChrystal had described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.Gen McChrystal had described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.
He is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.He is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.
US strategy will be discussed in a series of Obama administration meetings this week. Future US strategy will be discussed in a series of Obama administration meetings this week.
At the weekend, the new head of the British Army, Gen Sir David Richards, backed calls for more international forces, saying that reinforcements would enable Nato to achieve its objectives more quickly and with fewer casualties. On Wednesday President Obama is holding his third of five meetings with his National Security Council, as well as field commanders and regional ambassadors.
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