NATO chief calls on Europe not to cut defense spending

PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO's secretary general is urging cash-strapped European nations not to use the alliance's drawdown of forces in Afghanistan as an excuse to cut defense spending.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a gathering of the world's top diplomats and defense officials Saturday, Feb 2, that "we must build on what we have gained in operations such as Afghanistan — not cash in what some may perceive as the post-ISAF dividend."

He said any more cuts now would lead to greater insecurity in the future. Fogh Rasmussen said "in this age of austerity, that looks like an attractive option. But it would be the wrong option."

He noted that since 2001 the U.S.'s share of NATO defense spending has risen from 63 percent to 72 percent while most European nations have cut their defense budgets, The Associated Press reported.