Obama lauds NATO move to add help in Afghanistan
But action omits more combat forces sought by president
STRASBOURG, France – NATO announced Saturday that it will send about 5,000 additional troops and trainers to Afghanistan, a boost that President Barack Obama hailed, but one that failed to include the combat forces his administration had sought.
The commitment of extra forces came at the conclusion of Obama’s first summit of the most powerful military alliance in the world, an event marked by both pageantry and protest here on the border between France and Germany.
The U.S. leader had hoped to parlay his immense popularity in Europe into stronger promises of military support for the war in Afghanistan, which has drawn increasing criticism here. Throughout a visit that started in London, European leaders have jockeyed for position next to Obama and screaming crowds have gathered for a glimpse of the president and the first lady.
But even as European leaders stressed the importance of the Afghan mission, the boost announced Saturday pales in size next to the so-called “surge” of 21,000 U.S. troops that Obama has pledged to send to help fight the resurgent Taliban.
NATO’s increased deployment will include 3,000 soldiers on temporary assignment to assist in securing national elections scheduled for the troubled Central Asian nation in August. The remainder will provide training for the Afghan army, to encourage its transformation from a ragtag band into a professional, well-equipped military.
Conspicuously absent are the extra combat troops that the U.S. had requested, an indication of how deeply divided many NATO countries remain about the war effort and their role in it.
Nonetheless, the president portrayed it as a victory in his campaign to refocus efforts on stabilizing and building Afghanistan after the politically and financially ruinous diversion of the Iraq war.
“Keep in mind it was only just a week ago that we announced this new approach. … We’ve started to match real resources to achieve our goals,” Obama said. More resources are still necessary, he said, but, “These commitments of troops, trainers and civilians represent a strong down payment on the future of our mission in Afghanistan and on the future of NATO.”