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DeliciousObama troop decision 'within days'
Tuesday, November 24, 2009US President Barack Obama is set to announce his decision on sending extra troops to Afghanistan 'within days', according to a White House spokesman.
This week Obama met with officials for the ninth time to discuss the options presented to him, which include US and NATO forces commander General Stanley McChrystal's recommendation to send up to 40,000 troops.
"After completing a rigorous final meeting, President Obama has the information he wants and needs to make his decision and he will announce that decision within days," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
The president has been considering the decision for over two months, and many NATO partners are proving unwilling to commit more of their own forces without a significant troop surge from the Americans.
Many expect Obama's decision before a NATO meeting on 7 December. The date of the meeting was reportedly chosen because Obama was expected to have made his commitment by then.
HAVE YOUR SAY
NATO consists of 28 member states-why on earth should the US & UK commit the largest number of troops to Afghanistan-this should be an equal effort from all members & not just support personnel-frontline troops. If member states are not pulling their weight-they should be excluded from the organisation, or is the reason d’être the US/UK will guarantee all of the other members security?
Laskovar - UK
Laskovar - I absolutely agree! If they are able to send troops but not willing, then we should not be willing to stay in a mutual defense pact with them. I think the U.S. should tell certain NATO members that if they don't pull their weight, then we're done with NATO. Either that will get their attention, or we'll leave a useless organization. It's a win/win for us either way.
Mark - Virginia