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McCain knocks “minimalist” approach to the war in Afghanistan

~ Former Republican presidential candidate urges European nations to pledge additional troops and financial support at upcoming NATO summit ~

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) strongly encouraged Europeans to join the United States in ending the war in Afghanistan, not only to deliver long-promised peace to the Afghan people, but to ensure that terrorist factions do not wreck more havoc on the Western World. The former U.S. presidential candidate made it clear that Europe must deliver troops or other aid to Afghanistan if the Western campaign there is to succeed. Read More

Brazil FM Amorim urges G20 members to link financial crisis recovery, climate control

~ Aid to developing nations also expected to be topic at summit ~

Second day of Brussels Forum 2009, Brazilian Minister of External Relations Celso Amorim said today that G20 members must address the global financial crisis at its upcoming summit while also looking ahead to climate change goals that are expected to be discussed in Copenhagen later this year.   Read More

Holbrooke calls for increase in Afghan police force

~ European officials talk of backing American efforts in the region with additional troops, police training and foreign aid ~

Second day of Brussels Forum 2009, Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, advocated today for an increase in the Afghan police force while speaking at Brussels Forum.    Read More

~ World Bank President calls current stimulus plans a “sugar high” ~

Despite a projection by the International Monetary Fund of 1% global economic decline, Zoellick said World Bank projections showed 1% to 2% decline, a drop not seen since World War II or the Great Depression. He also projected trade to fall to a low not seen in 80 years.  He emphasized the significant levels of uncertainty and noted that the wave effects of the developing world had not yet been felt.    Read More

    

~ Solana wants agreements among NATO members on security, the global economy and protecting human rights ~

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov said that his country will continue to push for a new or revised transatlantic security compact and also emphasized the need for agreement among world leaders on how best to handle Iran and other security hot spots.      Read More

~ Belgian PM Van Rompuy encourages U.S.-EU cooperation on financial crisis ~

On the opening night of Brussels Forum, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told participants today that the United States and the European Union must steer clear of protectionist policies going into the G20 Summit in London next month. “We must avoid protectionism, it is one of the main dangers,” Barroso said.   Read More