BRUSSELS - A U.S. official says Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen is gaining momentum to become NATO's new secretary general.
The official says the United States has not yet decided who it thinks should replace outgoing NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, but says consensus is building in the 26-nation alliance behind Fogh Rasmussen.
The U.S. official says Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay is also a good candidate.
The American official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of negotiations.
France, Germany and Britain have reportedly backed Fogh Rasmussen.
Saturday's comments gave the first sign that Washington could back the Danish premier when NATO names its new chief at its 60th anniversary summit April 3-4.
