Obama promises troops a clear mission, public support if he sends them into harm’s way

more images

more images

Obama promises strategy, clear mission for troops

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — Nearing a decision on sending more troops off to war, President Barack Obama told a military audience Thursday that he will not dispatch them into conflict without proper support — including the backing of the American people.

“That is a promise that I make to you,” Obama told more than 1,000 troops and their families gathered at a hangar here, as the president stopped briefly for refueling en route to a four-country trip to Asia.

The president made no direct mention of Afghanistan or his weekslong review, now nearing completion, of how to revamp the struggling war effort there. Obama is expected to send in thousands more troops.

Facing a daunting array of Asian challenges, Obama was on his first major trip to the region, where a surging China and newly assertive Japan are chipping away at America’s standing on diplomacy and trade.

At home in recent days, from a somber memorial for the 13 people shot to death at Fort Hood in Texas to a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Obama has lauded the determination of the all-volunteer military.

But his assurance Thursday about public support was new, and it was unclear how he would rally it.

An Associated Press-GfK poll this week showed that 48 percent of people disapprove of Obama’s handling of Afghanistan, up from 41 percent in October. More than half of all Americans — 54 percent — now oppose sending more troops to Afghanistan, an increase from 50 percent last month.

“I want you guys to understand that I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people and our vital interests,” Obama told the troops. “But I also make you this promise: I will not risk your lives unless it is necessary to America’s vital interests.”

“And if it is necessary,” Obama added, “the United States of America will have your back. We’ll give you the strategy and the clear mission you deserve. We’ll give you the equipment and support you need to get the job done. And that includes public support back home.”

Already the most traveled first-year president ever, Obama took off for Tokyo on an Asian journey that will add four countries — Japan, China, Singapore and South Korea — to the 16 he’s already visited. The trip also will highlight a dramatically changing continent.

Obama was arriving in Japan a day later than planned, his schedule scrambled by Tuesday’s memorial for the shooting victims at Fort Hood. His stop in Singapore for the annual Asia-Pacific economic summit, originally scheduled for two days, was cut back to a mere 20 hours.

Awaiting Obama in Japan was a new prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, who swept to power vowing a more equal partnership with Washington. Hatoyama also has promised to halt Japan’s refueling of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, review its basing agreement for 47,000 U.S. troops and explore the possibility of a new Asian trading block excluding the United States.

In a pre-trip talk with Japan’s NHK network, Obama acknowledged Hatoyama’s election as a “political earthquake” but played down any friction. “This is not a senior-versus-junior partnership,” he said. “This is one of equals in which Japan has been an extraordinary contributor.”

Obama was scheduled to meet with Hatoyama and hold a news conference almost immediately after arriving so the Japanese leader could quickly fly off to Singapore. Obama planned to arrive at the summit late Saturday night, after delivering a speech in Tokyo and dining with the emperor.

The 21-nation Pacific Rim meeting usually promotes free trade. But this year, with the global financial crisis still reverberating, the tide has been running the other way.

Easily his biggest challenge in Asia is the rising economic and military power of China. Obama will meet with Chinese leaders in Shanghai and Beijing, tour the Great Wall and Forbidden City, and hold a town hall meeting with Chinese youngsters at a Shanghai museum during a three-day stay.

While America is still struggling out of its deepest recession in decades, China’s economy is bouncing back briskly. Yet a vast trade gap exists. China’s currency is — by U.S. reckoning — hugely undervalued, although the government signaled Thursday it’s ready to allow its currency to rise. And there are disputes between the two countries on everything from Chinese tire exports to DVD piracy.

Obama closes his trip with a visit to South Korea as his administration prepares to send an envoy to North Korea for rare direct talks. But the outlook wasn’t helped by a naval clash Tuesday in crab-fishing grounds off the Korean Peninsula’s western coast.