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Bush Vows to NATO: U.S. Will Add Troops
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"We are going to have to assess our requirements, modify our forces, modify our tactics and strategy and do it over the long term," Hadley said. "So I think what you are seeing is a much more focused engagement in Afghanistan."
The White House said about a dozen countries offered more help, although many will provide trainers or civilians, not combat forces. France, Britain, Poland, Romania, Spain and others committed to send 2,000 to 2,500 troops, according to the White House.
The most important contribution came from France, which pledged 700 to 1,000 troops for eastern Afghanistan, freeing more U.S. troops to head to the volatile south to reinforce the Canadians. The redeployment will satisfy Canadian demands and prevent Ottawa from withdrawing as it had threatened to do.
The success in gaining at least some additional help from allies for Afghanistan marked a highlight of the three-day summit for Bush. The leaders met Friday morning with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who agreed to allow the alliance to transport nonlethal equipment and supplies to Afghanistan through Russian territory.
Bush flew here after the final summit sessions to meet with the leaders of the two countries admitted to NATO during the summit, Croatia and Albania, as well as the leader of a third country, Macedonia, that was promised membership if it can resolve a long-standing dispute with neighboring Greece over its name.
White reported from Washington.
