Hungary Sending 200 More Troops To Afghanistan

Vice President Joe Biden and Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai
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Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said after a meeting with Vice President Joe Biden that his country, a member of NATO, is sending 200 more troops to Afghanistan.

It’s an increase of 60 percent that Biden deemed “significant” due to the country’s relatively small population he estimated is about 10 million.

Bajnai said Hungary “made clear we agree with the strategy” President Obama laid out this week for the war in Afghanistan and that his country is “ready to participate” and will send “up to 200 new” troops.

Bajnai said the new troops are to help the situation “get done.” He said Hungary has “a duty” to help. “We believe in the strategy,” he said.

Biden said the U.S. is “grateful” for Hungary’s support and said they discussed a stable Pakistan in addition to Afghanistan “as the president always does.”

Biden said “most Americans” might say 200 troops seems like few, but “this is a significant commitment” since there will be a total of 500 troops in Afghanistan from a country he said has about 10 million people.

Biden said it is a “politically important and courageous decision.”

They also spoke about the U.S.-Hungarian relationship and the economy.

Later today Bajnai will meet with National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones and Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner.

As press left, Biden turned to Bajnai and said “I hope Jim Jones is buying you lunch.”

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