AFGHANISTAN: NATO takes command across all Afghanistan

NATO's International Security Assistance Force assumed command of international military security operations in eastern Afghanistan from Coalition forces on thursday (October 5) extending the NATO-ISAF mission.The ceremony was attended by the President of Afghanistan along with a number of key members of his government, and NATO's Senior Civilian Representative; Ambassador Daan Everts. NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) already commanded forces in the north, west and south, as well as in the capital, Kabul. On Thursday it took command of about 12,000 U.S. troops in the east. "I hope that the international community gives a hand to Islamic and non-Islamic countries to fight terrorism seriously, very seriously because terror is the enemy of the world and mankind, I thank those countries who have sent their sons to our country to fight terrorism and bring security." said Afghan President Hamid Karzai at Nato handover ceremony in NATO Headquarters in Kabul. The U.S. troop transfer had been expected later in the year, but alliance officials said battles with resurgent guerrillas in the south showed the urgent need to pool British, Dutch and Canadian troops under NATO with the U.S. forces. With the inclusion of the U.S. troops in the east, the NATO force in Afghanistan will number about 31,000 troops. About 8,000 U.S. troops remain in a separate force, concentrating on counter-terrorist operations and training Afghan forces. The Afghan mission is the biggest ground operation in Nato's history. "Nato mission in Afghanistan is challenging that said we know that the challenging in Afghanistan can not be matched by international military forces or security operations alone, enhanced security must go hand to hand with reconstruction and development efforts and effective transparent government, this is the only way to fight extremism to expand the influence of democratic government and to improve the life of the people of Afghanistan." Said Daan Everts Nato Senior Civilian representative in Afghanistan. The British General David Richards the commander of NATO's Afghan force, who is currently commanding the whole military operation in the south said that NATO should improve the capacity of the Afghan government, to succeed in its mission. "Now it is time to move forward. We will continue to confront the insurgence where and when it is necessary, but the primary purpose of our security operations is to enable improvements in government capacity and to accelerate reconstruction and development to bring real benefit to the lives of all Afghans. We are utterly committed to expanding the areas in which this is already successfully taking place." said British General David Richards. "The unity of command that today's transition brings should enhance the effectiveness of the overall operation," he continued in a speech at the change-of commander ceremony in Kabul. "ISAF has shown it has the resolve to meet the challenges of its expanded mission," he said, referring to fighting in the south since NATO took command there at the end of July.

ITN Source | October 5, 2006

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