US urges Europe to send more troops to Afghanistan

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-11-2008 11:04

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on the Europeans to send more troops to fight in Afghanistan.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on the Europeans to send more troops to fight in Afghanistan.

The US defense chief told security experts in Munich that violence and terrorism could surge worldwide if NATO was defeated in Afghanistan.

Gates urged his NATO allies to come together in the fight against Islamist militants in Afghanistan.

Robert Gates, US defense secretary, said, "So now I would like to add my voice to those of many allied leaders on the continent. And speak directly with the people of Europe. The threat posed by violent Islamic extremism is real, and it is not going to go away."

Gates' speech was the latest move in a campaign he has undertaken to persuade NATO allies to back the war and supply more troops and resources.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on the Europeans to send more troops to fight in Afghanistan.

Gates cited more than a dozen attacks or plots against European targets, including bombings in London and Madrid. He also recalled the 911 attacks on the United States.

He said NATO could not afford "the luxury" of letting some nations conduct less dangerous missions while others did more fighting and dying.

Germany has rejected a NATO request to send extra troops to the more volatile southern Afghanistan.

Editor:Liu Fang