Tuesday September 18 6:16 AM ET NATO Europe Commander Says Casualties Unavoidable By Richard Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - NATO (news - web sites)'s supreme allied commander in Europe said on Tuesday that casualties would be unavoidable among U.S. forces when they retaliated against the perpetrators of last week's attacks in New York and Washington. At a news conference in Vienna, General Joseph Ralston also said he was not in any way disappointed with the response of Washington's NATO partners to its call for support. ``We must all recognize that this is not a risk-free operation that we are embarking upon. There will be casualties,'' Ralston said. ``That is a necessary part of any military operation.'' Ralston was in Austria to meet government ministers and observe a NATO ``Partnership for Peace'' exercise involving around 1,500 soldiers from 20 countries. The U.S. Air Force general, who is also commander-in-chief of U.S. forces in Europe, said: ``We cannot be in the mindset of a zero-casualty operation. That's not what we are about. We have to get the mission done. We will take all prudent measures to protect our people as best we can. But the mission will go on and we will accomplish the mission.'' Ralston said President Bush (news - web sites) had made clear that fighting terrorism would require a sustained effort. ``I don't believe people should expect a single strike and that would be the end of the problem,'' he said. ``This is a sustained effort over a long period of time by the entire international community -- and not just military. We are talking about economic, political, diplomatic as well as military.'' Asked if he was disappointed by an apparent reluctance on the part of some NATO countries to back the United States fully in possible military operations, Ralston replied: ``Let me say very unequivocally and up front -- I am not in any way, shape or form disappointed in the level of support that has been offered by NATO allies. ``I have absolutely nothing but praise for the members of the alliance and other members of the European Community who have come forward with very substantial support,'' he added. Ralston said offers of support had been both for direct military action and supporting actions. He said he was satisfied with current U.S. troop levels in Europe, where some 115,000 personnel -- eight percent of Washington's active-duty military strength -- are based. ``But if more troops are needed, then we certainly have the means to get those troops,'' Ralston added. THE END ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrHhl.bVKZIr Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
