Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2007-08 (2. samling)
Bilag 14
Offentligt
ISAF’s Strategic VisionDeclaration by the Heads of State and Government of the Nations contributing to theUN-mandated NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) inAfghanistanPress Release (2008)052, 3 Apr. 20081. We gather in Bucharest to reaffirm our determination to help the people and the electedGovernment of Afghanistan build an enduring stable, secure, prosperous anddemocratic 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 11September 2001, that Euro-Atlantic and broader international security is tied toAfghanistan’s stability and future. Our presence in Afghanistan is at the request of theGovernment of Afghanistan and mandated by the United Nations. Neither we nor ourAfghan partners will allow extremists and terrorists such as the Taliban or al-Qaeda, toregain control of Afghanistan or use it as a base for terror that threatens all of ourpeople and has been felt in many of our countries and beyond. As we help Afghanistanrebuild, our guiding principles are:oooa firm and shared long-term commitment;support for enhanced Afghan leadership and responsibility;a comprehensive approach by the international community, bringing togethercivilian and military efforts; andincreased cooperation and engagement with Afghanistan’s neighbours, especiallyPakistan.
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We welcome President Hamid Karzai and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon alongwith his Special Representative Kai Eide to this Summit and reaffirm our shared vision forAfghanistan.2. In helping the Afghan people build security today, we are defending basic values we allshare, including freedom, democracy and human rights as well as respect for the viewsand beliefs of others. While much remains to be done, Afghanistan has made importantstrides in developing its democracy and improving the lives of its citizens; itsGovernment is strengthening its capacity in these areas. A reconciliation process fornational unity has begun and basic security and infrastructure have improved. Over thepast six years, access to health care has increased tenfold; access to education is up sixtimes and women again have rights protected by law. Afghan and international forcesfrom 40 countries, working side-by-side, are creating security conditions that makethis progress possible. Nevertheless, security challenges remain. Violent extremistscontinue to attack fragile governmental institutions and the people of Afghanistan. Theyincreasingly revert to indiscriminate terror attacks and intimidation but Afghanistan’sand our capacity to counter them continues to grow.3. Our vision of success is clear: extremism and terrorism will no longer pose a threat tostability; Afghan National Security Forces will be in the lead and self-sufficient; and the1
Afghan Government will be able to extend the reach of good governance,reconstruction, and development throughout the country to the benefit of all itscitizens. This declaration is supported by a medium-term, internal political-military plan- consistent with the Afghanistan Compact and the Afghan National DevelopmentStrategy - which will be updated regularly and against which we will measure progress.Our shared long-term commitment4. We will continue to assist the Government of Afghanistan in further establishing andmaintaining a secure environment and extending good governance. To enhance oursecurity effort we will:oosupport each other in sharing the burden in Afghanistan;provide our military commanders the tools they need for success byfilling remaining ISAF shortfalls including forces, training teams and enablers;provide maximum possible flexibility of use of our forces by the ISAFCommander;continue to ensure that every measure is taken to avoid civilian casualties; andenhance our capacity to counter extremist propaganda and communicate moreeffectively our goals, accomplishments and remaining challenges to Afghan andinternational audiences.
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Enhancing Afghan Leadership5. Only Afghan-led security forces and institutions can ensure the rule of law in the longterm. The Afghan National Army is increasingly demonstrating the ability to successfullyplan and conduct complex operations with our forces in support. As Afghanistan’ssecurity forces become increasingly capable of leading and sustaining operationsindependently, we expect ISAF’s role will be able to evolve to one primarily of trainingand mentoring. We welcome the growing international focus on building the capacity ofthe Afghan police which are vital for the stability and security of the nation. In supportof all this, we will:oprovide the training teams and help provide the equipment needed to meet thegoal of an effective 80,000 - strong Afghan Army by 2010;work towards progressively transferring lead security responsibility throughoutthe country to Afghan forces, supported by ISAF, as appropriate conditions aremet and Afghan capacity permits; we accordingly welcome Afghanistan’sexpressed intention to assume lead security responsibility for Kabul as soon asfeasible;encourage the appointment of a senior Afghan military officer to ISAFHeadquarters when circumstances permit;assist the development of effective civilian-controlled security and defenceinstitutions including through the NATO-Afghanistan Cooperation Programme;2
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assist the development of the Afghan National Police within our means andcapabilities and in close coordination with relevant international actors, whereappropriate;support the Government of Afghanistan in building capacity to communicatemore 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 Afghanculture and traditions;provide security support to upcoming elections in Afghanistan; andcontinue to support Afghan-led efforts to tackle the narcotics problem.
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Enhanced coordination6. There can be no lasting security without development and no development withoutsecurity. Success requires a comprehensive approach across security, governance anddevelopment efforts and between all local and international partners in support of theAfghan Government. We will intensify our contribution to such a comprehensiveapproach. To this end, we:owelcome United Nations Security Council Resolution 1806 which sharpens theUN Mission in Afghanistan’s mandate and decides to strengthen cooperation withISAF;look forward to working closely with UN Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral Kai Eide and the UN Mission in Afghanistan as it further expandsthroughout the country, and in support of its lead role in coordinating the overallinternational civilian effort, improved civil-military coordination, politicaloutreach and governance;will work on more regular consultations with all actors involved in Afghanistan asappropriate and in close coordination with the Afghan Government; and,welcome the upcoming Paris Conference that will review progress on andstrengthen international efforts to further implement the Afghanistan Compact.
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7. Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) play a significant role in enabling security,governance and development. We pledge to provide all the PRTs needed, enhance theirunity of effort, strengthen their civilian component and further align their developmentstrategies with Afghan Government priorities until such a time as Afghan Governmentinstitutions are strong enough to render PRTs unnecessary.Afghanistan’s neighbours and the Region8. Afghanistan’s neighbours have an important role to play in helping Afghanistan build amore stable and secure future. The threats of violent extremism and narcotics are notAfghanistan’s alone. The region stands to benefit when these threats are dealt with
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effectively. To help foster a long-term regional approach to security challenges andcooperation, we:ocall on Afghanistan’s neighbours to act resolutely in support of the AfghanGovernment’s efforts to build a stable Afghanistan with secure borders;look forward to deepening our engagement with Afghanistan’s neighbours,particularly Pakistan;support efforts to improve security and stability along the Afghanistan/Pakistanborder, and,encourage further cooperation and intensified dialogue between Afghanistan andPakistan including through the Jirga mechanisms, the Ankara process and theTripartite Commission.
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Conclusion9. We as Allies and Partners stand united in our firm commitment to support the Afghanpeople fulfil their aspirations for a better life. The Afghan Government and people aretaking increasing responsibility for the country’s security, reconstruction anddevelopment. Together we will ensure they achieve the future they have long beendenied and thereby bring greater security to all of our people.
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