Grinder
12 August 2003, 14:58
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2003 -- During a change of command ceremony in
Kabul today, NATO assumed strategic command, control and coordination
of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The
force had been under the leadership of Germany and the Netherlands.
A NATO press release stated this important event underscores the long-
term commitment of all NATO allies to stability and security for the
Afghan people.
NATO expressed gratitude for the outstanding German and Dutch
contribution, officials said, and also thanked nations that have
decided to contribute to ISAF under NATO's leadership.
ISAF's name and mission will not change. NATO will work within the same
United Nations mandate as ISAF III and will operate according to
current and future U.N. resolutions.
NATO's commitment to the ISAF mission is a reflection of the alliance's
transformation agenda and resolve to address the new security
challenges of the 21st century.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander U.S. Marine Gen. James Jones appointed
German army Lt. Gen. Götz Gliemeroth as ISAF commander and Canadian
army Maj. Gen. Andrew Leslie as his deputy.
At the change of command ceremony in Kabul, NATO was represented by
the deputy secretary general, Ambassador Alessandro Minuto Rizzo, and
Jones, as well as other officials.
Kabul today, NATO assumed strategic command, control and coordination
of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The
force had been under the leadership of Germany and the Netherlands.
A NATO press release stated this important event underscores the long-
term commitment of all NATO allies to stability and security for the
Afghan people.
NATO expressed gratitude for the outstanding German and Dutch
contribution, officials said, and also thanked nations that have
decided to contribute to ISAF under NATO's leadership.
ISAF's name and mission will not change. NATO will work within the same
United Nations mandate as ISAF III and will operate according to
current and future U.N. resolutions.
NATO's commitment to the ISAF mission is a reflection of the alliance's
transformation agenda and resolve to address the new security
challenges of the 21st century.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander U.S. Marine Gen. James Jones appointed
German army Lt. Gen. Götz Gliemeroth as ISAF commander and Canadian
army Maj. Gen. Andrew Leslie as his deputy.
At the change of command ceremony in Kabul, NATO was represented by
the deputy secretary general, Ambassador Alessandro Minuto Rizzo, and
Jones, as well as other officials.