BELGIUM--(ENEWSPF)--03 March 2010. Thank you for coming. I would like to focus on two main issues this month, and then I’d be happy to take your questions.
Let me start with Afghanistan.
Late last year, the 44 ISAF nations agreed a new strategy, with three new elements. First: we would transition to Afghan lead as soon as possible. Second: we would support – and demand – better governance, and better delivery of services, from our Afghan partners. And third, we would step up our game as well, by flowing in more forces, and by holding areas we have cleared.
The operation in Marjeh is the first test of the new NATO approach in Afghanistan. And the first results show that it is the right strategy.
Let me highlight three elements of this operation that, I can promise you, will be repeated in subsequent operations this year.
First: from top to bottom, politically and militarily, Afghans are standing on their own feet – even, where they can, taking the lead.
Politically, it was President Karzai who decided when this operation would begin, not COMISAF. Governor Mangal of Helmand has directed the overall effort to help the locals with jobs and health services. And the Afghans are leading the local shuras, which have helped to minimise the fighting.
Militarily, international and Afghan forces are doing the work together. Of the almost 10,000 troops in the operations , 40% are Afghans. You might then ask : Are they capable of operating fully independently? The answer is: Not yet. But Marjeh is a clear sign that they are getting there.
Second: the Afghan Government is showing that it can deliver the leadership and the services its people need and want. And that is critical. The decisive phase of this operation is starting now: when the Afghan Government starts delivering governance.
We are off to a good start. Cash for work programs are in place, and locals are signing up. Mosques, schools and markets are being opened and refurbished. Roads are being repaired and wells dug. The Ministry of Public Health is operating a full health clinic and two smaller ones in Marjeh already. And Afghan police are moving in as well.
Of course, it takes time to create enduring security, jobs and education opportunities. It also takes time to win trust and confidence. That is what the Afghan Government is doing now, and it is starting to have an effect.
My third point: we will stay in Marjeh to finish the job. We now have the forces to stay in the areas we’ve cleared. And by “we”, I mean the Afghan Government and ISAF, partnered together. That is a key element of our new approach.
As I said, Helmand is the first demonstration. It won’t be the last. I can guarantee the Afghan people that they will benefit from this new comprehensive approach in other areas, this year.
Helmand is a clear demonstration of our determination to succeed in this mission – and there will be more such demonstrations to come. It will not be easy, and there will be more difficult days. But this mission will take a decisive step forward this year. And it has now started.
Let me turn to one other issue: arms control.
There is a growing international discussion on the way forward when it comes to arms control, and in particular nuclear weapons.
The goal of working towards a world free of nuclear weapons is one which we can all embrace. And I’ve scheduled a discussion at our next Foreign Ministers meeting in Tallinn on how NATO can contribute to arms control and disarmament, including with an eye to our new Strategic Concept.
With that in mind, I think it is also important to be pragmatic. There are a lot of nuclear weapons in the world, and a number of countries that either have them, would like to have them, or could have them quickly if they decided they needed them. That is just the way it is. So whatever we do in support of arms control and disarmament should be balanced with deterrence.
Finally, it is important that anything that affects NATO’s nuclear policy or posture be decided by the Allies together, without any unilateral moves. Solidarity is very important when it comes to this issue, and I will work hard to preserve it, beginning with the discussion in Tallinn.
Source: nato.int