David Alexander and David Brunnstrom
Reuters
June 9, 2011
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday there would be no hasty U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and Washington expected the same from its allies.
Gates, speaking ahead of the start of President Barack Obama’s planned troop cuts in Afghanistan next month, said a “rush to the exits” would jeopardize military progress in Afghanistan.
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“We are making substantial military progress on the ground…these gains could be threatened if we do not proceed with the transition to Afghan security lead in a deliberate, organised, and coordinated manner,” he told a news conference after a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
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