NATO Leaders Endorse Obama's Afghan Plan

But France, Germany Resist Call For More Combat Troops; Police Clash With Protestors At Summit

(CBS/AP)  France and Germany fully endorsed President Barack Obama's new Afghan war strategy but continued to firmly resist U.S. demands for more combat troops on Saturday at the start of NATO's 60th-anniversary summit.

CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer reports that NATO will send 4,700-5,000 military and police trainers to Afghanistan. The number includes troops for an election security force, according to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, who said there are no additional combat elements in the plan.

"If we don't get the security around the elections right, a lot of the other things we want to do won't matter," Gibbs said.

Gibbs also announced NATO will commit $100 million for an Afghanistan trust fund to expand the Afghan army, with $57 million of it coming from Germany.

President Obama also told NATO leaders the alliance should remain open to new members, another stance that is likely to meet resistance from his allies. Germany, France and many other NATO nations believe that any more eastward expansion will further damage ties Russia that the alliance is trying hard to mend.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and two dozen other NATO leaders walked across a bridge separating Germany and France in a moment of unity before the summit began. The leaders met French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the halfway point on the Europa bridge spanning the Rhine river - a symbolic departure from the enmity that once tore apart Europe and a setting aside of current differences, at least for a few minutes.

CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante reports that members of the alliance, formed six decades ago to counter the Soviet Union, now debate the scope of its mission, with President Obama arguing that terrorism threatens them all.

"We recognize that no corner of the globe can wall itself off from the threats of the 21st century, or from the needs and concerns of fellow nations," he said.

The president has asked the allies for more help in Afghanistan, particularly to train its police force.

"Every nation has a stake in ensuring that our mission in Afghanistan succeeds," Mr. Obama said.

NATO's ability to succeed in Afghanistan is seen as a crucial test of the power and relevance of the alliance founded to counterbalance the Soviet Union and now fighting a rising insurgency far beyond its borders. European leaders and voters remain deeply skeptical about whether more troops can stabilize a country devastated by decades of war.

Also hanging over the conference is North Korea's threat to launch a multi-stage rocket, which could come at any time this weekend.

"We have made clear to North Koreans that their missile launch is provocative," Mr. Obama said. "It puts enormous strains on 6-party talks and that they should stop the launch."

High winds were believed to have postponed a launch this morning.As the summit itself got under way, President Obama took a moment to welcome Albania and Croatia to being alliance membership to 28. Mr. Obama said he looked forward to the day when Macedonia will join NATO. Macedonia's accession to NATO has been blocked over a dispute the country has with Greece.

President Obama also said that "the door to membership will remain open" for countries that meet NATO standards and can make a meaningful contribution to allied security. He did not specify whether future members could come from the former Soviet Union, which Russia opposes.

But Afghanistan remained at the heart of the summit. Sarkozy and Merkel again stressed their support for the new strategy on Afghanistan that Obama was formally unveiling.

"We cannot afford to lose," Sarkozy said in opening remarks, "because there (Afghanistan), some of the freedom of the world is at stake." Merkel, the summit co-host, said that Afghanistan was a "test" case for the alliance.

Good will toward Mr. Obama, who worked the room patting leaders he had just met on the back, was in ample evidence.

"We trust him," Sarkozy said. "We were expecting and waiting for the words we heard."

However, both Merkel and Sarkozy stressed the need for Afghanistan's government and security forces to shoulder an increasing share of the burden. They gave no sign they were prepared to send more troops. Both countries believe civilian aid and training for police are what is needed to stabilize Afghanistan.

"What we need to do is to understand Afghanistan is a text case for all of us," Merkel said. "We need to promote Afghanization."

At the summit's opening on Friday, President Obama promised to repair damaged relations with Europe and asked for support of his new strategy, which has him adding 21,000 U.S. troops to the force of 38,000 struggling against Taliban advances alongside a like number of European, Canadian and non-NATO forces

President Obama said upon his arrival in Strasbourg Friday that Europe should not expect the United States to bear the combat burden alone.

"This is a joint problem," Mr. Obama said. "And it requires a joint effort."

British officials traveling to the summit with Prime Minister Gordon Brown told reporters aboard his plane that Brown will offer to send more troops to Afghanistan but that depended upon other NATO members being prepared to send additional forces, Britain's Press Association reported.

Spain said ahead of the summit that it would add a small contingent to help train Afghan army officers. Belgium said it will add some 65 soldiers to a force of 500 and send two more F-16 jet fighters, bringing the total number it has sent to six.

A senior U.S. official traveling with President Obama said Saturday that the administration expects that pledges and commitments from other NATO nations would come in over the next several weeks.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because no decisions had been announced.

The NATO leaders made no apparent progress on naming the next NATO secretary-general, who had appeared likely to be Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, despite opposition from Turkey. Fogh Rasmussen infuriated many Muslims by speaking out in favor of freedom of speech during an uproar over Danish publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in 2006. But Turkish officials, speaking on condition of anonymity Saturday because of the sensitivity of the topic, said they still opposed the Dane's candidacy.

President Obama and the allies also were expected to endorse a return to normal relations with Russia, nine months after Moscow invaded Georgia.

The alliance officially recognized France's return to full participation on NATO's military councils, after a 43-year absence.

Looking to the future, the leaders are expected to issue a declaration Saturday that formally launches the creation of a new "strategic concept" or road map to define NATO's roles, missions and way of functioning.

It would be the first such revision of the alliance's purpose and function since 1999.

Police had braced for violent protests but demonstrators were mostly smaller than expected.

In Strasbourg overnight, French police fired tear gas at protestors trying to move to the conference center and disrupt the talks.

The French president's office said that Michelle Obama and other first ladies of NATO nations canceled a visit to a cancer hospital in Strasbourg near to where some 1,000 protesters had taken up positions.

The next step on President Obama's European tour is Prague, where he'll be attending yet another summit - this one between the United States and the European Union. Then he heads to Turkey for two days before returning home.


Watch Lara Logan's debrief on the conference:

[sjc_1]

You do not go from an "up yours" mentality to a "reach out" one over night. Countries are gauging what is in it for them. They have domestic politics to consider and once being with the U.S. again sells at home, they will be there.

[beach671]

Isn't it a shame all these war injured veterans coming back from Bush's/Obama's War are getting "Medically Retired" when they get back and........don't get retirement checks?

They are being Medically Retired under Chapter 61 of US Code Title 10. They are being given made up disability ratings by DOD as they refuse to use the Veterans Affairs Disability Schedules. Let's say you are one of them. You get told here's your retirement check and you will get a 30% disability rating and here, here is $700 for you a month for your 15 years of service.
The Veterans Affairs looks at you and gives you a 50% disability rating and let's say you get $800 from them. Well they have to cease paying your DOD retirement check, it's the law. You'll only get the $800 Veterans Affairs check, you can't get both.

So now you are broke from World Domination and have to figure out how to clothe and feed your family and provide them with a home with your $800 Veterans Affairs Disability check.

Isn't it funny how American's rally to 'support our troops' and run out and buy those yellow decals for their vehicles, but when it comes to financially supporting those that broke themselves for their country.......well they are on their own. It's a shame Obama plans on breaking more Americans whom won't get enough compensation to survive after they get broken in our military on these senseless military operations doing nothing for the National Security of the United States.

The only 'retirees' in America that don't get paid, US military members under Title 10 US Code, Chapter 61. You offered no 'change' President Obama. You are just breaking more Americans like the last guy for no reason. I hope you atleast get some good blow out of Afghanistan over the suffering of Americans there. Don't even mention 9-11 or Osama is why you are there. Saudi Arabia financed 9-11 and Osama is still alive.

[budmag06]

Europe is spineless in the face of danger. All Europe wants to "kiss up" to Obama. That tells us a lot about our spineless president.

[UR_Majesty]

Mr. 2258 has informed me we are clear for take-off. Will see you tomorrow from the Island. I'm moving all of my assets as quick as possible. I leave you with this advise. Buy gold, paper is worthless.

[erasmus111]

And they weren't buying the US while GW was Pres? Midge.

Posted by gravyboat63 at 7:51 PM : Apr 4, 2009


Who the heck is Midge?

[UR_Majesty]

gravy ... Just except the truth. Obama is a failure.

[UR_Majesty]

Rowdy ... The reason China thinks that , He is. It's nice to see others see Obama for what he is. China is taking advantage of of Obama. They are buying America from him. No need to fight for it. Just buy it.

[erasmus111]

The truth is , things are worse since Obama took over. The truth hurts...

Posted by UR_Majesty at 6:37 PM : Apr 4, 2009

You wouldn't know the truth if it slapped you in the bloody head.

It's impossible for things to get better immediately. Things always get worse before they get better. And REALLY I seriously doubt that things could be much worse than when Bush was in there. You are still looking at the left over disaster from him.

[UR_Majesty]

The truth is , things are worse since Obama took over. The truth hurts...

[erasmus111]

The funny thing about these comments about China is ALL of us put China in the situation they are in financially. Look around your home, how many items are,"Made in China"?

Posted by gravyboat63 at 6:19 PM : Apr 4, 2009

That's right.

In the U.S. ALL items are made in China, and in Canada, SOME items are made in China. : ) Okay, it's a wee bit more than "some".

If you want to find things "Made in the U.S.A.", you can find them here in Canada.

Anyways, if we weren't so CHEAP and were willing to spend more, companies wouldn't have had to go to China to begin with.

[erasmus111]

Most of the people I find, that approve of Obama are black or gay, with few exceptions.

Posted by UR_Majesty at 6:17 PM : Apr 4, 2009

Hahahaha! I know that you aren't supposed to use this word anymore, but are you RETARDED?

[UR_Majesty]

skyk-2009 You got 1 thing right. Obama is a show. While he is off showboating, almost 9% of Americans are out of work. With Obama as president , people are so hopeless they are losing it. Like the guy that lost his job and killed 13 people and then himself. Obama said he would bring change & he has. Most of the people I find, that approve of Obama are black or gay, with few exceptions.

[nojoy01]

just like the overwhelmingly large number of americans that voted for obama and the democrats.
Posted by bigsk8fan at 3:06 PM

Another urban legend in the making. Out of One Hundred Fifteen Million Four Hundred Thousand+ votes cast in the 2008 presidential election, Obama-Biden got 52.7% of the popular vote. That hardly seems overwhelming. A majority, yes. Overwhelming? No. Now, if you mean the electoral college then yes, a 2-1 majority. But all that proves is that more people live in the "blue states" than the "red states" & since most states have a "winner take all" philosophy on the electors (the people who actually cast the electoral ballots) then a 1% win is as good as a 50% win. source: http://www.npr.org/news/specials/election2008/2008-election-map.html#/president?view=race08

[nojoy01]

"...President Obama took a moment to welcome Albania and Croatia to being alliance membership to 28."

So. This means that if some nation "invades" Albania or Croatia it is, by treaty, legally the same as if some nation had invaded the United States? Of course, the other way around works too. If the United States is invaded Albania & Croatia are legally bound to use their massive military might to help the US stop the invasion. It is good that we are now allied with such strategically improtant nations who are models of good, stable, and democratic governments.

[Evil_In_The_Eyes]

China supports Obama 100%. Obama is selling America to them.
Posted by UR_Majesty at 3:43 PM : Apr 4, 2009

Yes were being sold down the drain like drain o. China will take good care of us just you wait and see!

[UR_Majesty]

China supports Obama 100%. Obama is selling America to them.

[bumpedoff1]

first gov. gov. debt 10.5 trillion

[hungry1968-15]

Our kids will remember Obamas chain debt thats triple than that of president Bush!
Posted by Evil_In_The_Eyes at 3:17 PM : Apr 4, 2009




Bush spent $5 TRILLION of America's dollars, and NONE of it went to America.

Is that the trend you would like Obama to continue?

[Evil_In_The_Eyes]

Our kids will remember Obamas chain debt thats triple than that of president Bush!

[hungry1968-15]

Hungry ... That screen name will soon be your truth. Yes , with your great leader in charge . You will soon be hungry. Do your own research...
Posted by UR_Majesty at 2:07 PM : Apr 4, 2009




It's YOUR claim, YOU prove it.