C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000120

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AFDB PK
SUBJECT: ISAF'S STRATEGIC VISION STATEMENT

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Classified By: DCM Richard Olson, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: NATO and ISAF Heads of State and Government
in Bucharest agreed a stand alone public declaration
outlining "ISAF's Strategic Vision." The statement )
separate from the Summit communique ) was designed to
reinforce to Allied and Partner publics why NATO went to
Afghanistan, to highlight what ISAF has accomplished to-date,
and to lay out a long-term commitment and corresponding
vision to tackle the remaining challenges. In the statement,
HOSG explicitly acknowledge the link between security in
Afghanistan, and security in Allied and Partner homelands and
beyond (para 1). HOSG also pledge to share the burden, fill
remaining ISAF force shortfalls, and provide COMISAF maximum
flexibility in using those forces (para 9). They pledge to
provide the training teams and equipment support (para 5) to
meet the goal of an 80,000 strong ANA by 2010 (notably, prior
to this statement NATO had only committed to provide trainers
to help meet the old goal of a 70,000 strong ANA). Leaders
also welcome the sharpened UNAMA mandate (para 6), committing
to work closely with UN SRSG Eide as UNAMA further expands
throughout Afghanistan, and in support of UNAMA's lead role
in coordinating the international civilian effort and
improving civil-military coordination. Finally, looking at
the region, HOSG "look forward to deepening our engagement
with Afghanistan's neighbors, particularly Pakistan," and
pledge to "support efforts" to improve security along the
Afghanistan-Pakistan border (para 8). END SUMMARY.


2. (U) ISAF'S STRATEGIC VISION

Declaration by the Heads of State and Government of the
Nations contributing to the UN-mandated NATO-led
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan


1. We gather in Bucharest to reaffirm our determination to
help the people and the elected Government of Afghanistan

build an enduring stable, secure, prosperous and democratic
state, respectful of human rights and free from the threat of
terrorism. Afghanistan is the Alliance's key priority. We
recognised after the tragic events of 11 September 2001, that
Euro-Atlantic and broader international security is tied to
Afghanistan's stability and future. Our presence in
Afghanistan is at the request of the Government of
Afghanistan and mandated by the United Nations. Neither we
nor our Afghan partners will allow extremists and terrorists
such as the Taliban or al-Qaeda, to regain control of
Afghanistan or use it as a base for terror that threatens all
of our people and has been felt in many of our countries and
beyond. As we help Afghanistan rebuild, our guiding
principles are:

- a firm and shared long-term commitment;
- support for enhanced Afghan leadership and responsibility;
- a comprehensive approach by the international community,
bringing together civilian and military efforts;
- increased cooperation and engagement with Afghanistan's
neighbours, especially Pakistan.

We welcome President Hamid Karzai and United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon along with his Special

SIPDIS
Representative Kai Eide to this Summit and reaffirm our
shared vision for Afghanistan.


2. In helping the Afghan people build security today, we are
defending basic values we all share, including freedom,
democracy and human rights as well as respect for the views
and beliefs of others. While much remains to be done,
Afghanistan has made important strides in developing its
democracy and improving the lives of its citizens; its
Government is strengthening its capacity in these areas. A
reconciliation process for national unity has begun and basic

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security and infrastructure have improved. Over the past six
years, access to health care has increased tenfold; access to
education is up six times and women again have rights
protected by law. Afghan and international forces from 40
countries, working side-by-side, are creating security
conditions that make this progress possible. Nevertheless,
security challenges remain. Violent extremists continue to
attack fragile governmental institutions and the people of
Afghanistan. They increasingly revert to indiscriminate
terror attacks and intimidation but Afghanistan's and our
capacity to counter them continues to grow.


3. Our vision of success is clear: extremism and terrorism
will no longer pose a threat to stability; Afghan National
Security Forces will be in the lead and self-sufficient; and
the Afghan Government will be able to extend the reach of
good governance, reconstruction, and development throughout
the country to the benefit of all its citizens. This
declaration is supported by a medium-term, internal
political-military plan - consistent with the Afghanistan
Compact and the Afghan National Development Strategy - which
will be updated regularly and against which we will measure
progress.

Our shared long-term commitment


4. We will continue to assist the Government of Afghanistan
in further establishing and maintaining a secure environment
and extending good governance. To enhance our security
effort we will:

- support each other in sharing the burden in Afghanistan;
- provide our military commanders the tools they need for
success by filling remaining ISAF shortfalls including
forces, training teams and enablers;
- provide maximum possible flexibility of use of our forces
by the ISAF Commander;
- continue to ensure that every measure is taken to avoid
civilian casualties;
- enhance our capacity to counter extremist propaganda and
communicate more effectively our goals accomplishments and
remaining challenges to Afghan and international audiences.

Enhancing Afghan Leadership


5. Only Afghan-led security forces and institutions can
ensure the rule of law in the long term. The Afghan National
Army is increasingly demonstrating the ability to
successfully plan and conduct complex operations with our
forces in support. As Afghanistan's security forces become
increasingly capable of leading and sustaining operations
independently, we expect ISAF's role will be able to evolve
to one primarily of training and mentoring. We welcome the
growing international focus on building the capacity of the
Afghan police which are vital for the stability and security
of the nation. In support of all this, we will:

- provide the training teams and help provide the equipment
needed to meet the goal of an effective 80,000-strong Afghan
Army by 2010;
- work towards progressively transferring lead security
responsibility throughout the country to Afghan forces,
supported by ISAF, as appropriate conditions are met and
Afghan capacity permits; we accordingly welcome Afghanistan's
expressed intention to assume lead security responsibility
for Kabul as soon as feasible;
- encourage the appointment of a senior Afghan military
officer to ISAF Headquarters when circumstances permit;
- assist the development of effective civilian-controlled
security and defence institutions including through the
NATO-Afghanistan Cooperation Programme;
- assist the development of the Afghan National Police within

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our means and capabilities and in close coordination with
relevant international actors, where appropriate;
- support the Government of Afghanistan in building capacity
to communicate more effectively and respond to extremist
propaganda;
- help strengthen Afghan institutions required to fully
establish the rule of law, protect human rights and promote
our shared values, while respecting Afghan culture and
traditions;
- provide security support to upcoming elections in
Afghanistan;
- continue to support Afghan-led efforts to tackle the
narcotics problem.

Enhanced coordination


6. There can be no lasting security without development and
no development without security. Success requires a
comprehensive approach across security, governance and
development efforts and between all local and international
partners in support of the Afghan Government. We will
intensify our contribution to such a comprehensive approach.
To this end, we:

- welcome United Nations Security Council Resolution 1806
which sharpens the UN Mission in Afghanistan's mandate and
decides to strengthen cooperation with ISAF;
- look forward to working closely with UN Special
Representative of the Secretary General Kai Eide and the UN
Mission in Afghanistan as it further expands throughout the
country, and in support of its lead role in coordinating the
overall international civilian effort, improved
civil-military coordination, political outreach and
governance;
- will work on more regular consultations with all actors
involved in Afghanistan as appropriate and in close
coordination with the Afghan Government;
- welcome the upcoming Paris Conference that will review
progress on and strengthen international efforts to further
implement the Afghanistan Compact.


7. Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) play a significant
role in enabling security, governance and development. We
pledge to provide all the PRTs needed, enhance their unity of
effort, strengthen their civilian component and further align
their development strategies with Afghan Government
priorities until such a time as Afghan Government
institutions are strong enough to render PRTs unnecessary.

Afghanistan's neighbours and the Region


8. Afghanistan's neighbours have an important role to play in
helping Afghanistan build a more stable and secure future.
The threats of violent extremism and narcotics are not
Afghanistan's alone. The region stands to benefit when these
threats are dealt with effectively. To help foster a
long-term regional approach to security challenges and
cooperation, we:

- call on Afghanistan's neighbours to act resolutely in
support of the Afghan Government's efforts to build a stable
Afghanistan with secure borders;
- look forward to deepening our engagement with Afghanistan's
neighbors, particularly Pakistan;
- support efforts to improve security and stability along the
Afghanistan/Pakistan border, and, encourage further
cooperation and intensified dialogue between Afghanistan and
Pakistan including through the Jirga mechanisms, the Ankara
process and the Tripartite Commission.

Conclusion

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9. We as Allies and Partners stand united in our firm
commitment to support the Afghan people fulfil their
aspirations for a better life. The Afghan Government and
people are taking increasing responsibility for the country's
security, reconstruction and development. Together we will
ensure they achieve the future they have long been denied and
thereby bring greater security to all of our people.
NULAND