*EPF504 04/18/2003
Text: NATO to Enhance Peacekeeping Role in Afghanistan
(April 16 press release outlines additional support) (350)

NATO, which provides 95% of the troops for the International Security Force in Afghanistan, announced April 16 that it will enhance its support for ISAF by taking on the command, coordination, and planning of the operation.

Additional support will include an in-theatre headquarters, a force commander, and political direction and coordination by the North Atlantic Council.

Following is a NATO press release:

(begin text)

NATO Update
16 April 2003

SAME NAME, SAME BANNER, SAME MISSION AS NATO ENHANCES ISAF ROLE

NATO decided on 16 April 2003 to enhance its support to ISAF, the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, by taking on the command, coordination and planning of the operation.

The Alliance already plays a significant role in support of ISAF, with NATO member countries providing 95% of the troops involved. At the request of the countries currently leading ISAF - Germany, the Netherlands and Canada - the North Atlantic Council decided to provide additional NATO support, which will consist of:

* an in-theatre headquarters to command and coordinate the operation;

* a force commander, to be selected by NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe from among the Allied nations providing troops to ISAF;

* strategic coordination, command and control, which will be exercised by the Supreme Allied Headquarters Powers Europe (SHAPE);

* creation of an ISAF co-ordination cell;

* political direction and coordination by the North Atlantic Council.

Neither ISAF's name nor mission will change. The operation will continue to operate under the United Nations mandate and the ISAF banner, and the Alliance will continue to welcome non-NATO contributors.

"The enhanced NATO role will overcome the growing problem of a continual search every six months to find new nations to lead the mission," said NATO Spokesman Yves Brodeur, "This not only puts a considerable strain on the lead nations, but means every six months a new headquarters has to get to grips with a complex situation."

NATO's military authorities have now been ordered to plan the operation, to begin as soon as possible.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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