26 March 2002

No Current Need to Expand Security Force in Afghanistan, U.S. Says

United Nations -- Given the present security situation and the range of assistance underway, the United States currently does not see the need to expand the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) beyond Kabul and its immediate environs, U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said March 26.

During a Security Council discussion of the situation in Afghanistan, Cunningham, who is the deputy permanent representative to the UN, focused his remarks on security in the country.

"We all recognize that there are a variety of security challenges in Afghanistan today. The Afghans are addressing these challenges and the United States, together with others, is assisting them to do so in a number of ways," the ambassador said.

He noted that the US will support the renewal of ISAF's mandate until the end of the year, will provide assistance to Turkey should it take over ISAF command, and will help train a national army and contribute to training and equipping police.

Following is the text of the ambassador's remarks:

Thank you, Mr. President, and let me also welcome you to New York. Your presence here with us today is most welcome and signifies your country's commitment to Afghanistan. I want to completely associate the United States with your message of condolence and sympathy to the Afghan people in the aftermath of the earthquake today. I also want to thank the Deputy Secretary General for her comprehensive overview of where we stand now. I think it is a very useful outline.

We welcome the Secretary General's report on the situation in Afghanistan and the proposal for the United Nations Assistance Mission. We look forward to hearing other nations' views on UNAMA and to discussing it more fully in the coming days.

For now, I want to second the Secretary General's comment that what Ambassador Brahimi, his colleagues, the United Nations and indeed the international community have accomplished thus far, under the circumstances,is truly remarkable. We support the Secretary General's intent to get an effective, efficient, and integrated Mission fully in place as soon as possible with a light, expatriate footprint and heavy reliance on the Afghans themselves.

Today I want to say a word about security. We all recognize that there are a variety of security challenges in Afghanistan today. The Afghans are addressing these challenges and the United States, together with others, is assisting them to do so in a number of ways:

• We will continue the campaign against Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

• Working with our international partners, in the coming weeks we will begin training a national army and the United States will contribute significantly to the training and equipping of police.

• In early April, we intend to meet with other interested countries to discuss efforts to improve the security situation in Afghanistan.

• When ISAF's current mandate comes up for renewal, we will support its extension through December of this year.

• We will also provide assistance to Turkey should it, as we hope, agree to take over ISAF command from the United Kingdom.

• The United States is working through its special forces and civil affairs teams with local Afghan commanders and these teams will continue to help local commanders deal with contentious issues and to discourage conflict among them.

We believe these efforts are responsive to Afghanistan's needs and are already having a very positive impact.

Given the present security situation and the range and variety of assistance already available or underway, we do not currently see the need to expand ISAF's areas of activities beyond Kabul and its immediate environs.

We remain extremely appreciative of the United Kingdom's leadership of the International Security Assistance Force and express our thanks for the support of the other troop-contributing nations.

Thank you, Mr. President.