Afghan Full Transition A ‘Historic’ Event: Rasmussen

11 years ago | Posted in: Afghanistan, Latest Politics News | 719 Views

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the final phase of transition was a historic event for Afghanistan and the international community.

“Today is really an historic day. We have worked hard to achieve this goal to handover security responsibility to the Afghan forces all over Afghanistan,” Mr Rasmussen said.

Continuing on and delving into the details, Rasmussen said, “I think it’s important for the Afghan people to see that their own security forces will now take the lead for ensuring security all over the country.”

“Similarly, it’s important for troop-contributing countries to see that we have made progress happen in Afghanistan and also that we have made a huge difference. This is precisely why today is an historic day and a great milestone in our Afghanistan mission,” he added.

Expressing his faith in the Afghan security forces, Rasmussen said, “I think the best assurance is the fact that we have seen the Afghan security forces in action. Also recently, they have handled security incidents in a very professional manner on their own without active involvement of Isaf. Nevertheless, with the Isaf troops in an advisory role and the Afghan security forces taking up the lead for more than 90 percent of security operations, makes me confident about the fact that they are ready to take lead responsibility for now and full responsibility by the end of 2014 as planned.”

Inquiring into the areas of concern that Nato shares in case of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), Rasmussen said, “Obviously, we will continue to train, advise, give assistance to the Afghan security forces. We have seen huge progress but there are still works to do. So in collaboration with Afghan security forces, we will continue our training activities.”

As it is known, the next year concerns itself with an extremely critical election, Rasmussen was asked about Nato’s position when it comes to fulfilling citizens’ expectations from foreign troops.

Rasmussen said that the Afghan forces will be responsible for the security. Nonetheless, foreign forces will be there to extend all forms of assistance when needed. Isaf mission will continue until the end of 2014 and it will also be combat ready, if needed, until the end of 2014. Thus, during the election period, the Isaf operation or the Isaf mission would continue.

The Afghan officers and Generals showcased a certain amount of concern over equipments being on the Nato’s to-do list for the next year. To this, Rasmussen stated, “That is a priority on the to-do list for individual allies. Also, I am aware that individual allies do provide equipments for the Afghan security forces. This will assure us of the fact that the Afghan security forces take up full responsibility by the end of 2014. For the same, they will be trained and equipped entirely.

Post-2014, the role of Nato in Afghanistan will change to only training mission. The current Isaf combat mission will be completed by the end of 2014 and ideally from 2015 it will establish a training mission that will be aimed at training, advice and assisting the Afghan security forces in every possible means.

Emphasizing the need for Bilateral Security Agreement with the US, Rasmussen said, “The agreement would be a pre-requisite for deploying trainers and troops. The necessary legal framework needs to be in place that is referred to as the status of forces agreement. Currently, we are negotiating with the Afghans on that.”

Now, the last group of provinces will be handed over. But Isaf still has 18 months until the end of its combat mission, post which it shall continue to train and assist the Afghan security forces.

Tolonews

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