ISAF mission in in Afghanistan unaffected by US govt shutdown: NATO

Fogh Rasmussen says Afghanistan's progress has been remarkable, and on course for 2014 handover.

WASHINGTON DC: NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Thursday said that US' contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has not been affected in Afghanistan or any other NATO missions due to the partial government shutdown, US Department of Defense reported.

He was speaking at his monthly news conference in Brussels.

“So far we haven’t seen any negative impact on US contributions to NATO-led operations,” Rasmussen said. US military officials have been exempted from the shutdown.

He dismissed the reported allegations made by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that NATO has not done enough in Afghanistan.

Rasmussen said Afghanistan has come a long way in past one decade due to the immense efforts and sacrifices of the troops and civilians from ISAF nations. “The changes have been remarkable, and our investment in lives and resources has been unprecedented. Nobody can deny that. And this effort should be respected,” he added.

NATO Secretary General said he is struck by the Afghan people’s recognition of NATO’s contribution. He claimed that Afghan people appreciate the sacrifices made by the NATO and its allies in re-building Afghanistan.

Rasmussen claimed that with the help of NATO and other troop-contributing countries Afghanistan has been able to build a strong Afghan National Security Force that now numbers about 350,000.

“We have seen the resilience and the growing professionalism of Afghan forces,” he said. “And I am confident that the Afghan security forces will be able to take full responsibility by the end of 2014 as planned.”

Afghanistan would be holding elections next year, which would be fully led and managed by the Afghans, and provide a litmus test for Afghanistan's fledgling military.

“Six months before the polls, preparations are more advanced than for any other elections in Afghanistan’s modern history,” Rasmussen said.

He added that registration of a multi-ethnic lineup of presidential candidates was completed for the upcoming elections, along with the active participation from women, with at least one woman contesting for the public office in every provincial council.

Transparent, inclusive and credible election with results acceptable to Afghan people is the need of time, so the political process could continue and provide stability and predictability expected by the Afghans and international community, stressed Rasmussen.

He welcomed Great Britain’s offer to host the 2014 NATO Summit at a turning point for the alliance as it prepares to complete the longest and largest operation in its history.

“This will be a critical opportunity to take stock of our ongoing work, including in Afghanistan, and to look to the future.”

“The summit will also ensure that we continue to build on the lessons that we have learned, to strengthen the alliance and keep it ready to deal with modern security challenges,” Rasmussen said.

“And it will further enhance our partnerships, which are key to our future success in a world where risks cross borders and we are all interconnected.”