Mr. Sarkozy spoke warmly of Turkey.
Asked if Mr. Obama’s addition of 21,000 U.S. soldiers to the Afghan war might mean an increase of American influence in NATO, Mr. Sarkozy pointed to Mr. Rasmussen’s election, adding that the results of the meetings were what European leaders were looking for.
“I didn’t realize that Mr. Rasmussen was an American,” said Mr. Sarkozy. “He’s deeply European”
The countries agreeing to contribute further help, according to European diplomats, include Poland – which is to send as many as 600 troops – Spain, Croatia, Greece and the Netherlands. Germany is expected to confirm that it will be sending extra troops to the largely peaceful north of Afghanistan for the election on 22 August.
France is sending a further 150 military police to help train Afghan civilian police, arguing that last year it announced a large extra deployment.
The commitments gave Gordon Brown enough political cover to confirm an offer to send up to 1,000 extra troops on a temporary basis of a few months. T
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/04/europe-troops-afghanistan-nato-obama