Obama: decision soon on troops for Afghanistan

[November 13, 2009]  TOKYO (AP) -- President Barack Obama said Friday that his decision about how many troops to send to Afghanistan will come soon and he is bent on "getting this right."

In a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Obama rejected claims that his administration is dithering. The policy must protect America from terrorist networks, Obama said, while also making clear there is no "open-ended commitment" to Afghanistan.

Obama and Hatoyama pledged to renew their nations' alliance to keep pace with a fast-changing world.

Opening a weeklong trip to Asia, Obama said the United States and Japan must "find ways to renew and refresh the alliance for the 21st century."

Hatoyama noted that Japan will no longer refuel ships that supply Afghanistan, but he promised aid for Afghan civilian needs such as schools, agriculture and police. He also vowed to cooperate with the United States on combating climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Obama arrived in Tokyo on Friday for the start of a weeklong trip to east Asia.

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AP's earlier story is below.

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TOKYO (AP) -- President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama pledged Friday to renew their nations' alliance to keep pace with a fast-changing world.

Opening a weeklong trip to Asia, Obama said the United States and Japan must "find ways to renew and refresh the alliance for the 21st century."

Hatoyama noted that Japan will no longer refuel ships that supply Afghanistan, but he promised aid for Afghan civilian needs such as schools, agriculture and police. He also vowed to cooperate with the United States on combatting climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Obama arrived in Tokyo on Friday for the start of a weeklong trip to east Asia.

[Associated Press]

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