Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The Secretary General of NATO was in Austin Tuesday as part of a US tour. Anders Fogh Rassmusen spoke with State Representative Dan Flynn the Adjutant General John Nichols and members of the Texas Military Forces during his visit to Camp Mabry today. Representative Flynn
stated It was a honor to be part of his visit and to have him see the role Texas plays in worldwide military operations.
Secretary General Rasmussen used this opportunity to reinforce the important of the alliance to U.S. citizens. He told his audience that Osama bin Ladens death would have little effect on the fight in Afghanistan. He also spoke about NATOs military presence in Afghanistan and its bombing campaign in Libya. He stated that the current battle in Libya could be typical of NATOs future military actions. It was a privilege to see the acknowledgment by the Secretary General of the unique and important role Texas plays in NATO operations. Stated Representative Flynn.
The Secretary Generals visit comes after representatives from the United Nations asked European countries to increase efforts to help Libyans fleeing their country. Refugee boats have recently sunk while trying to escape the war in Libya. Rasmussen said that he did not believe there was more NATO could do to help refugees but that NATO stands ready to protect humanitarian assistance." In response to a question about a protracted military stalemate in Libya Rasmussen said that he was not going to guess about timelines but that NATO would stay until its military objectives were fulfilled."
