NATO Reconfirms Afghanistan Expansion

NATO in Afghanistan
Originally uploaded by Sydney Weasel.

Story copied from NATO website

NATO’s expanded security presence in Afghanistan must be matched by Afghan and international efforts to ensure that Afghan people enjoy the benefits of security, NATO’s Secretary General said at a meeting of Defense Ministers.

Meeting in Brussels on 8 June, Defense Ministers from 37 NATO and non-NATO countries reconfirmed plans to significantly increase the number of NATO-led peacekeepers in Afghanistan this summer and to move into the south of the country.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Afghanistan, ” said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, “Let no one doubt NATO’s resolve nor doubt our capability to carry out the mission.”

The Secretary General stressed however that Afghanistan is “not just a security story”. He called for continuing support from international organizations and donors for Afghanistan. {Click on image for detials}