NATO STATEMENT ON USG CONSULTATIONS WITH ALLIES

UNCLAS USNATO 000502 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS MCAP MARR NATO AF SUBJECT: NATO STATEMENT ON USG CONSULTATIONS WITH ALLIES AND ISAF PARTNERS ON AFGHANISTAN ¶1. (U) NATO Secretary General Rasmussen issued a statement on the November 5 visit to NATO headquarters of a senior USG interagency team for consultations on Afghanistan with Allies and non-NATO troop contributing nations. (Note: The substance of the consultations will be reported septel.) ¶2. (SBU) Comment: As reflected in the Secretary General's statement, the visit was an important demonstration of the Administration's commitment to consultations with Allies and partners ahead of the Presidential decisions which will be taken in response to the assessment and resource request of GEN McChrystal, the commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. ¶3. (U) The full text of the Secretary General's statement follows: BEGIN TEXT 05 Nov. 2009 Press Release: (2009) 160 NATO Secretary General statement on consultations for the way ahead in Afghanistan The North Atlantic Council and troop contributing nations of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) met today with representatives of the United States Government to consult on the way ahead in Afghanistan. The 43 nations exchanged views on priority issues following the conclusion of the Afghan electoral process and ahead of a final decision on the strategic approach and associated resource requirements. Allies and non-NATO troop contributing nations welcomed the opportunity to exchange views on critical questions. These included: challenges such as proposals to enhance the training and development of the Afghan National Security Forces; the need for the appointment of an inclusive government in Kabul to give the international community a strong and reliable partner; and ways to enhance the civilian component of international community efforts in Afghanistan and improve its coordination. The meeting also reinforced the importance of an effective regional approach, stressing the importance of improved cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, recognised the clear sense of continued commitment to Afghanistan from the troop contributing nations. He urged all nations to re-examine what further resources they could make available in terms of military, financial or civilian contributions to help the Afghans take an increasing lead in managing their own affairs. END TEXT DAALDER