Gates: Afghan shortfalls remain, no more U.S. troops (after the 3,200)

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon does not plan to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan beyond the additional Marines promised this week despite a lingering shortfall in trainers for the Afghan forces, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told National Public Radio in an interview aired on Thursday.

The Pentagon chief said he reluctantly asked President George W. Bush to approve the 3,200 additional troops announced

on Tuesday because it was clear European nations would not boost their force levels in Afghanistan.

"I think it was pretty clear it was not going to come from NATO," Gates said in the interview, according to a text of his remarks. "And as much as I was reluctant to recommend to the president that we add additional forces there, I think it was important to build on the military successes that we had in 2007."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080117/wl_nm/afghan_usa_gates_dc

[LynnTheDem]

1. So George W. bUsh concedes total defeat in Afghanistan.

His Failed War #1.

[bemildred]

2. Why not just leave? nt