This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7980835.stm
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 16 | Version 17 |
|---|---|
| Obama underlines al-Qaeda threat | Obama underlines al-Qaeda threat |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| President Barack Obama has urged better use of Nato resources in Afghanistan, saying al-Qaeda is a greater threat to Europe than to the US. | President Barack Obama has urged better use of Nato resources in Afghanistan, saying al-Qaeda is a greater threat to Europe than to the US. |
| Speaking before a Nato summit co-hosted by France and Germany, he said the US wanted to see a stronger Europe. | Speaking before a Nato summit co-hosted by France and Germany, he said the US wanted to see a stronger Europe. |
| However, Nato's secretary general said members would be reluctant to send more troops if Afghanistan adopted a new law seen as violating the rights of women. | However, Nato's secretary general said members would be reluctant to send more troops if Afghanistan adopted a new law seen as violating the rights of women. |
| A massive French-German security operation is in place for the summit. | A massive French-German security operation is in place for the summit. |
| After talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Mr Obama said they had discussed Afghanistan. | |
| "It's not just a matter of more resources, but more effectively using the resources we have," Mr Obama said. | "It's not just a matter of more resources, but more effectively using the resources we have," Mr Obama said. |
| He thanked France for leadership regarding Afghanistan. | He thanked France for leadership regarding Afghanistan. |
| The US is by far the bigger contributor of international troops in Afghanistan | |
| "France recognises that having al-Qaeda operate safe havens that can be used to launch attacks is a threat not just to the United States but to Europe. | "France recognises that having al-Qaeda operate safe havens that can be used to launch attacks is a threat not just to the United States but to Europe. |
| "In fact it is probably more likely that al-Qaeda would be able to launch a serious terrorist attack in Europe than in the United States because of proximity. | "In fact it is probably more likely that al-Qaeda would be able to launch a serious terrorist attack in Europe than in the United States because of proximity. |
| "This is not an American mission, this is a Nato mission, this is an international mission." | "This is not an American mission, this is a Nato mission, this is an international mission." |
| Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered a temporary increase in British troops serving in Afghanistan. | |
| The UK currently has 8,300 soldiers in the country, the second-largest international contingent troops outside the US. | The UK currently has 8,300 soldiers in the country, the second-largest international contingent troops outside the US. |
| Partnership | Partnership |
| On the issue of wider defence, Mr Obama said: "We would like to see Europe have much more robust capabilities." | On the issue of wider defence, Mr Obama said: "We would like to see Europe have much more robust capabilities." |
| He added: "We're looking to be partners with Europe, and the more capable they are defensively, the more we can act in concert on the shared challenges we face." | He added: "We're looking to be partners with Europe, and the more capable they are defensively, the more we can act in concert on the shared challenges we face." |
| NATO: KEY MOMENTS Founded 1949, largely to block Soviet expansion into EuropeTwenty-six member states who vow to defend each otherMilitarily dominated by the USActed in non-member state for first time in 1995 - implementing military aspects of Bosnia peace accordOperated outside Europe for first time in 2003 - in Afghanistan New doctrine for new threats New start for US and Russia | NATO: KEY MOMENTS Founded 1949, largely to block Soviet expansion into EuropeTwenty-six member states who vow to defend each otherMilitarily dominated by the USActed in non-member state for first time in 1995 - implementing military aspects of Bosnia peace accordOperated outside Europe for first time in 2003 - in Afghanistan New doctrine for new threats New start for US and Russia |
| France last month announced it would be fully re-integrated into Nato. For decades it had not been a member of the alliance's military command. | France last month announced it would be fully re-integrated into Nato. For decades it had not been a member of the alliance's military command. |
| Later, President Obama told an audience in Strasbourg that the US and Europe had allowed the alliance to drift in recent years. | Later, President Obama told an audience in Strasbourg that the US and Europe had allowed the alliance to drift in recent years. |
| He said the US had been "arrogant" and "dismissive" towards its allies, while there was "insidious" anti-Americanism in Europe. He said these attitudes had to change. | He said the US had been "arrogant" and "dismissive" towards its allies, while there was "insidious" anti-Americanism in Europe. He said these attitudes had to change. |
| "I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership - one in which America listens and learns from our friends and allies. But where our friends and allies bear their share of the burden," he said. | "I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership - one in which America listens and learns from our friends and allies. But where our friends and allies bear their share of the burden," he said. |
| Mr Obama also announced a long-term goal of "a world without nuclear weapons", and said he would outline details of his non-proliferation proposal in a speech in Prague on Sunday. | Mr Obama also announced a long-term goal of "a world without nuclear weapons", and said he would outline details of his non-proliferation proposal in a speech in Prague on Sunday. |
| "Even with the Cold War now over, the spread of nuclear weapons or the theft of nuclear material could lead to the extermination of any city on the planet," he said. | "Even with the Cold War now over, the spread of nuclear weapons or the theft of nuclear material could lead to the extermination of any city on the planet," he said. |
| New leader | New leader |
| Mr Obama went on to Baden-Baden in Germany, where he met Chancellor Angela Merkel. | |
| "Leadership from our two countries is going to be critical" in meeting Nato's future challenges, he said at a joint news conference with Mrs Merkel. | |
| HAVE YOUR SAYNato came into existence in a period when Cold War hostilities had become quite strong. What's the meaning of its existence in today's world?Deboshree, Delhi Send us your comments | |
| Earlier, Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said it could be difficult to persuade European countries to contribute more in Afghanistan because of a planned Afghan law that, among other things, sanctions rape within marriage. | Earlier, Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said it could be difficult to persuade European countries to contribute more in Afghanistan because of a planned Afghan law that, among other things, sanctions rape within marriage. |
| He told the BBC: "How can I defend this, and how can the British defend this, when our boys and girls are dying there in defence of universal values, and here is a law that fundamentally violates human rights. | He told the BBC: "How can I defend this, and how can the British defend this, when our boys and girls are dying there in defence of universal values, and here is a law that fundamentally violates human rights. |
| French police were still holding more than 100 of the 300 people arrested on Thursday when masked protesters smashed bus shelters and burned rubbish bins. | French police were still holding more than 100 of the 300 people arrested on Thursday when masked protesters smashed bus shelters and burned rubbish bins. |
| Some 25,000 French police are set to patrol protests which could attract tens of thousands of demonstrators. | Some 25,000 French police are set to patrol protests which could attract tens of thousands of demonstrators. |
| Several hundred German soldiers are at two sites where activists are expected. | Several hundred German soldiers are at two sites where activists are expected. |
| The German towns of Kehl and Baden-Baden are also hosting Nato events for the alliance's 60th-anniversary summit. | |
| At the talks, alliance leaders are expected to consider relations with Russia and possibly announce a new secretary general. | At the talks, alliance leaders are expected to consider relations with Russia and possibly announce a new secretary general. |
| The current secretary general steps down at the end of July. Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen is regarded as the frontrunner to take over. | |
| Are you Strasbourg or Baden-Baden? Are you planning to take part in demonstrations? Send us your views on the Nato summit using the form below. | Are you Strasbourg or Baden-Baden? Are you planning to take part in demonstrations? Send us your views on the Nato summit using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |