Security Meeting

" James thank you the president met this morning with his national security team as he moved closer to a decision on what to do about Afghanistan. But there are also concerns about another country deemed vital to US interests White House correspondent Wendell Goler has the story."

" At his fifth high level review the strategy in Afghanistan aides say President Obama started seriously looking at troop levels press secretary Robert Gibbs denied a report the president has made a decision. And will grant general sentiment crystals from -- or 40000 troops I've seen the report its it's not drew drew either generally or specific. -- the president won't reduce the number of troops and how many he adds will ultimately depend on circumstances in Afghanistan and Pakistan takes on the political and security situations in both countries as the White House meeting took place Democrats on Capitol Hill aimed to soothe ruffled feathers in Pakistan's parliament. Over strings attached to a seven and a half billion dollar."

" Aid package it does not seek to impinge -- the national security interest or even the micro manage any aspect. Pakistan's military. Or civilian operations."

" The bill's house sponsor California Democrat Howard Berman told the Washington Post this week quote. Billions of going down a rat hole in the past in Pakistan. Pakistan's foreign minister was sent to the US for some reassurance and back. But I assault democracies function yesterday. Getting about each other. Listening to each other. The goal of the -- the bulls to the government of Pakistani president Osce volleys on -- and tamp down anti Americanism. Even as -- goes after Taliban and al-Qaeda forces hiding in the mountains on the Pakistan side of the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan's help was an essential part of US strategy in Afghanistan as -- Britain's which announced it's adding 500 troops to the 9000 already in Afghanistan. US officials say the president is coordinating -- strategy review with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and brown suggested the president's focused on turning more security responsibility. Over to Afghan."

" It's this will be central to the new benchmarks and -- we are general -- part of the new framework for the transition to Afghan authority. Afghan forces taking responsibility for security for the Afghan people. If that sounds familiar it's the formula the US employed in Iraq congress set benchmarks for Iraq to achieve to justify the surge in troops former President Bush wanted. Benchmarks may be the way to sell on Afghan troop surge to an equally reluctant congress Brett. One -- in the north lawn when the thing."