Bush Meets NATO Secretary General

By Scott Stearns White House 29 February 2008

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NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer says the trans-Atlantic alliance is winning the war in Afghanistan and is a force for peace in an independent Kosovo. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the NATO leader met with President Bush Friday for talks ahead of April's NATO summit in Romania.

President Bush meets with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, 29 Feb 2008

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, President Bush said the United States is committed to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

"We are committed to a comprehensive strategy that helps folks in Afghanistan realize security at the same time economic prosperity and political progress."

While all 26 NATO members have troops in Afghanistan, some have limited their deployments to safer areas where combat with Taliban fighters is less likely.

The United States wants more NATO troops from more member states on the frontlines.

De Hoop Scheffer said the alliance has a long-term commitment to Afghanistan.