NATO mum after Gates blasts Afghan role

[unhappycamper]

NATO mum after Gates blasts Afghan role
By Joseph Giordono, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, December 13, 2007

NATO had little official reaction on Wednesday to comments by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates calling into question the alliance’s commitments in Afghanistan.

In a strongly worded rebuke during his testimony Tuesday before the House Armed Services Committee, Gates said he was frustrated at “our allies not being able to step up to the plate.”

Gates was sharply critical of NATO nations for not supplying the promised number of trainers, infantry troops and helicopters for the Afghan war. According to Gates, alliance members have not delivered on promises of 20 helicopters, three infantry battalions and 3,500 more military trainers.

“I am not ready to let NATO off the hook in Afghanistan at this point,” Gates said.

NATO officials on Wednesday declined to directly address Gates’ comments, with a spokesman saying, “NATO never comments on statements by authorities of individual NATO nations.”


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50941

[flyarm]

1. well if little lord pissy pants hadn't pissed the world off and been the world's biggest liar...

just sayin' Gates..the shit all starts at the top..and trickles down..

fly