NATO in for the long haul, says commander

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) remains strongly committed to Afghanistan and would continue to maintain a presence for as long as the government in Kabul wanted, Lt Gen David Richards, the new British commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Sunday in the capital. “I would reaffirm that NATO is here for the long term, for as long as the government of Afghanistan requires our assistance and we are committed to Afghanistan and its future,” Richards told a press briefing in Kabul. “We are determined to demonstrate to all Afghans that there is a viable alternative, there is a choice, there is a brighter future available to them and their children and we are determined to improve their sense of ownership of the process,” Richards remarked. The British general, who took over command of the 10,000-strong ISAF force one month ago, vowed that the multi-national military deployment would increase its presence in the volatile south from 3,000 to 6,000 troops by 31 July. NATO plans to put in place new tactics to curb the growing Taliban-led insurgency. The militant Islamic organisation that had its origins in neighbouring Pakistan, were toppled by US led-coalition forces in late 2001. As a key member of NATO, Britain has already begun deploying forces to the restive southern province of Helmand. “I must stress that the overall capability in the southern region [of Afghanistan] will increase on expansion, both in terms of ‘boots on the ground’ and key combat support elements such as attack helicopters,” the general said. The British commander called on international donors to boost efforts to provide aid and reconstruction to the war-ravaged country, particularly to the volatile southern provinces, where the ongoing insurgency has hampered development and reconstruction. “There is also a real desire for greater involvement of the Afghan population in determining the focus of development and, concurrently, greater willingness on the part of the international community and donors to listen to Afghans and facilitate their wishes,” Richards noted, adding that there should be a greater focus on basic needs such as water, roads and power. Despite the deployment of nearly 10,000 NATO forces and some 20,000 US-led coalition forces following the ouster of the Taliban, insecurity still remains a huge problem in Afghanistan with over 900 people - many of them militants - killed so far this year. Up to 17 May, ISAF has lost a total number of 60 personnel since March 2002, with 24 of them losing their lives in combat-related activities in Afghanistan, according to ISAF authorities in Kabul.