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Afghan focus for key Nato summit Afghan focus for key Nato summit
(about 4 hours later)
The challenges facing Nato in Afghanistan are set to dominate the agenda as leaders of the alliance meet in France for a day of summit talks.The challenges facing Nato in Afghanistan are set to dominate the agenda as leaders of the alliance meet in France for a day of summit talks.
On Friday, US President Barack Obama called for better use of Nato resources there, saying al-Qaeda posed a greater threat to Europe than to the US.On Friday, US President Barack Obama called for better use of Nato resources there, saying al-Qaeda posed a greater threat to Europe than to the US.
He wants European nations to commit more troops and funds, but so far new pledges have been limited.He wants European nations to commit more troops and funds, but so far new pledges have been limited.
Meanwhile, leaders have so far failed to agree on a new secretary general.Meanwhile, leaders have so far failed to agree on a new secretary general.
They had been widely expected to endorse a new Nato chief at a gala dinner held in Germany to open the summit on Friday.They had been widely expected to endorse a new Nato chief at a gala dinner held in Germany to open the summit on Friday.
OBAMA'S TRANSATLANTIC VISIT 3 April: Obama meets Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany4 April: Leaders walk across the Rhine and hold North Atlantic Council meeting in Strasbourg5 April: Obama in Prague for US-EU summit6-7 April: Obama visits TurkeyOBAMA'S TRANSATLANTIC VISIT 3 April: Obama meets Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany4 April: Leaders walk across the Rhine and hold North Atlantic Council meeting in Strasbourg5 April: Obama in Prague for US-EU summit6-7 April: Obama visits Turkey
Big European powers had backed Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to replace Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who steps down at the end of July.Big European powers had backed Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to replace Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who steps down at the end of July.
But Turkey expressed opposition, based on Mr Rasmussen's stance over the publication in 2005 by a Danish newspaper of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.But Turkey expressed opposition, based on Mr Rasmussen's stance over the publication in 2005 by a Danish newspaper of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Many Muslims around the world were angered when Mr Rasmussen refused to censure the paper, invoking freedom of speech.Many Muslims around the world were angered when Mr Rasmussen refused to censure the paper, invoking freedom of speech.
The disagreement is an embarrassing start, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus in Strasbourg, but leaders appear determined that this will not over-shadow a gathering intended to re-launch the alliance for the 21st Century.The disagreement is an embarrassing start, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus in Strasbourg, but leaders appear determined that this will not over-shadow a gathering intended to re-launch the alliance for the 21st Century.
The summit, jointly hosted by Germany and France, marks Nato's 60th anniversary.The summit, jointly hosted by Germany and France, marks Nato's 60th anniversary.
Security is very high in Strasbourg, with dozens of people arrested over the past two days.
Early on Saturday, police fired several rounds of tear gas at a small protest of about 200 youths close to the summit venue.
'International mission''International mission'
Early on Saturday, Nato leaders will start by walking over a footbridge across the Rhine - a symbol of the unity and peace in Europe that Nato has helped to defend.Early on Saturday, Nato leaders will start by walking over a footbridge across the Rhine - a symbol of the unity and peace in Europe that Nato has helped to defend.
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
But the sternest challenges facing the alliance now lie thousands of miles away in Afghanistan.But the sternest challenges facing the alliance now lie thousands of miles away in Afghanistan.
The main business of Saturday's meeting in Strasbourg is to re-energise Nato to win a war that everyone accepts is not going very well, our correspondent says.The main business of Saturday's meeting in Strasbourg is to re-energise Nato to win a war that everyone accepts is not going very well, our correspondent says.
Last month, Mr Obama set out a new strategy for the conflict.Last month, Mr Obama set out a new strategy for the conflict.
In addition to more troops, he wants to send more funding and trainers to build up Afghanistan's security forces, as well as expert advisors to reinforce the country's crumbling infrastructure.In addition to more troops, he wants to send more funding and trainers to build up Afghanistan's security forces, as well as expert advisors to reinforce the country's crumbling infrastructure.
Speaking in Strasbourg on Friday, he appealed to European leaders to unite in support of the fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.Speaking in Strasbourg on Friday, he appealed to European leaders to unite in support of the fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
"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," he said."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," he said.
"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."
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 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
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered a temporary increase in troops ahead of Afghanistan's presidential elections in August.British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered a temporary increase in troops ahead of Afghanistan's presidential elections in August.
But despite European expressions of support for the new American strategy, it was not clear whether the long-term pledges sought by the US would be forthcoming.But despite European expressions of support for the new American strategy, it was not clear whether the long-term pledges sought by the US would be forthcoming.
Protesters have vowed to disrupt the meeting.
Security is very high in Strasbourg, with dozens of people arrested over the past two days.