Obama brings Afghan plan to NATO allies

NATO leaders have been reluctant to commit significant new military forces to the deadlocked conflict despite Obama's plan to add 21,000 U.S. troops to the force of 38,000 fighting the rising insurgency. Europeans have been more enthusiastic about increasing humanitarian and development aid than adding soldiers.

"We totally endorse and support America's new strategy in Afghanistan," Sarkozy told a joint news conference after talks with Obama. France will contribute to the new U.S. approach with development assistance and more training for police, Sarkozy said.

NATO's ability to succeed in Afghanistan will be seen as a crucial test of the alliance's power and relevance.

Sarkozy's backing is vitally important for Obama, who will formally present his new strategy to the heads of government of NATO's 28 member states at a dinner on Friday in the German resort town of Baden-Baden.

Obama told an audience of Europeans across the border in Strasbourg, France that he understands the doubts about the Afghan war in the U.S. and Europe. But terrorists along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border are plotting their next attack, Obama said, and such an attack is just as likely to target a European city.

Spain said ahead of the meeting that it will increase the number of soldiers it has in Afghanistan with a small contingent to help train Afghan army officers. Spain has 778 troops as part of the 55,000-strong NATO presence.

Belgium said it will add some 65 soldiers to the force of 500 it already has in Afghanistan, and will send two more F-16 jet fighters, bringing the total number it has sent to six. Belgium will also double its financial aid to an annual euro12 million ($14.5 million) over the next two years.

Sarkozy rolled out all the pomp possible for Obama's visit, with a red carpet arrival with full military honors from a company of soldiers dressed in camouflage at the majestic 18th-century Rohan Palace, once home to the bishops of Alsace. Church bells pealed at the stroke of noon from the nearby Strasbourg cathedral, while helicopters helping ensure security droned overhead.

Obama, who is meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel before the formal start of the conference, offered strong praise for the French efforts. "I just wanted to publicly thank France once again for its outstanding leadership with regard to Afghanistan," he told a news conference in Strasbourg.

Another item that will loom large during the two-day summit is Russia. The Obama administration is eager to repair relations with Moscow after the freeze that followed the Russo-Georgian War in August.

Obama told journalists there was "a great potential" to improve ties but he cautioned that Russia can't go back to its "old ways." He cited Russia's invasion of Georgia and said despite Sarkozy's efforts to broker a cease-fire there, the region still has not stabilized.

"I think it is important for NATO allies to engage Russia and to recognize that we have some common interests (but) that in some instances we also have differences," he said.

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