Updated on
Summary
Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said Americans should set aside any doubts about the commitment of other Nato members to the war in Afghanistan. In his first speech in the US as secretary-general, Mr Rasmussen said the campaign in Afghanistan was one of necessity, not choice. The speech comes after the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan warned of likely failure without more troops. But rising casualty figures have hit public support for the operation. Mr Rasmussen pointed out 40% of the Nato troops involved in the operation were from non-US countries and that soldiers from more than 20 countries had been killed. Mr Rasmussen carefully avoided taking sides in the American troop debate. I'm a little concerned about the doubts I hear these days in the United States about Nato, Mr Rasmussen said in an address to the Atlantic Council think-tank. He said he was aware of frustrations among US officials caused by the restrictions some Nato nations put on their forces; by the time it takes Nato to take decisions; by the reluctance of some countries to send more forces to the mission, even for training. Mr Rasmussen is due to meet President Barack Obama today.
