Wire: Obama Fails to Win NATO Troops for Afghan Mission

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2009 -- Newswires reported late today that President Barack Obama failed to win the NATO troops that he wants for Afghanistan.

The Times Online noted that while Obama dazzled the Europeans on his debut international tour, the continent’s leaders turned their backs on the U.S. president.

The Times reported the following news:

Gordon Brown was the only one to offer substantial help. He offered to send several hundred extra British soldiers to provide security during the August election, but even that fell short of the thousands of combat troops that the U.S. was hoping to prise from the Prime Minister.

Just two other allies made firm offers of troops. Belgium offered to send 35 military trainers and Spain offered 12. Mr. Obama’s host, Nicolas Sarkozy, refused his request.

The derisory response threatened to tarnish Mr. Obama’s European tour....

This is a developing story.

More from the Pentagon when news becomes available.

(Report from a commercial news media source.)

Source: Barack Obama fails to win NATO troops he wants for Afghanistan

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