WASHINGTON (May 22, 2012) — Following the conclusion of
the ISAF session at the NATO Summit in Chicago yesterday, Gen. John R.
Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force has
released the following statement:
I am grateful for the
overwhelming commitment from the international community to support
Afghanistan through 2014 and beyond. I was proud to join in the NATO
Summit in Chicago that sent three unmistakable messages to the world:
• To the Afghan people: we are committed to your future,
• To the Region: the international community will not abandon Afghanistan; and
• To the Taliban: you cannot wait us out.
Among
the important outcomes of this event was the resounding commitment by
the ISAF partner nations for the long term support of an Afghan National
Security Force that is sufficient, capable, and sustainable in the
post-2014 period.
This historic summit took place at a time of
considerable operational progress in our shared campaign. Because of the
extraordinary courage and skill of our ISAF coalition partners, and the
Afghan National Security Force’s fighting men and women, this spring
and summer, the insurgents have come back to find that many of their
caches are empty; their former strongholds are untenable; and a good
many of their foot soldiers absent or unwilling to join the fight. And,
most importantly, insurgents are facing a battle-tested and increasingly
capable Afghan National Security Force that is also serving as a source
of pride to the Afghan people and a symbol of unity for this country.
During
the last 12 months, the Afghan security forces have expanded from
276,000 to 340,000. They will reach their full surge strength ahead of
the scheduled deadline in October. Additionally, Afghan forces are
increasingly in the lead throughout the battle space, and the Afghans
were in the lead for planning of this year’s campaign plan, Operation
Naweed.
The expansion and professionalization of Afghan security
forces now allow us to recover the remaining 23,000 U.S. surge troops
by this fall, enable us to continue to pressure the Taliban to
reintegrate and reconcile, and make possible security transition to the
Afghans in accordance with our Lisbon commitments – and on time.
President
Karzai’s historic announcement of Tranche 3 of the transition process
is a significant milestone in our progress. The coming transition of
every provincial capital and the Afghan National Security Forces
providing security lead for three-quarters of the population marks the
ever-increasing authority and capability of the Government of
Afghanistan.
This summit, with its unambiguous commitment of
long term support for the security of Afghanistan, is the clearest
message yet the Taliban and the enemies of the Afghan people will not
win this war. The Afghan National Security Forces, with the unwavering
support and tangible commitments of the 50-nation coalition, grow
stronger every day. Additionally, the Summit was a powerful signal of
international support for an Afghan-led process of reconciliation; and
in this process resides the greatest hope for the Taliban for the
future. In the wake of this historic NATO Summit, as the Taliban see
that their time grows short, they can choose to be part of the
prosperous future of Afghanistan, but they can never prevail through
violence and intimidation.
This campaign has been long, it has
been difficult, and it has been costly. But I believe that ISAF’s
campaign is on track. I see it every day – tangible evidence of
progress. We are making a difference. We are fulfilling the Lisbon
Roadmap of Transition, and the international community is standing with
the noble Afghan people and Afghanistan now and into the Decade of
Transformation.
Washington Time
Kabul Time
London Time
