White House aims to halt general's public remarks on Afghanistan

The Obama administration has moved to stop Nato's top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, from publicly challenging policy after he described as "shortsighted" proposals to greatly reduce the number of US troops fighting the Taliban.

The US defence secretary, Robert Gates, cautioned military leaders against public statements on policy in comments aimed at McChrystal, who is pressing for the deployment of tens of thousands more soldiers to Afghanistan.

President Obama has resisted pressure from McChrystal to make a quick decision, saying that a new strategy to win the war must first be decided.

An administration official said last night that Obama met with Democrat and Republican representatives at the White House yesterday and told them that he will be rigorous and deliberate in his review of Afghanistan but that he understands the urgency of righting the flagging war.

He also said he wants the discussion about the United States' next moves in Afghanistan to be honest and the debate should not be based on false choices between big troop increases or leaving the country.

McChrystal has frustrated administration officials, including Gates, with public statements on the issue.

"In this process, it is imperative that all of us taking part in these deliberations, civilians and military alike, provide our best advice to the president candidly but privately," Gates said in a speech to the Association of the US Army...