NATO’s new training mission for Afghanistan is activated in Kabul
Less than nine months after NATO’s Heads of State and Government announced the establishment of the NATO Training Mission for Afghanistan (NTM-A), at the Alliance’s Summit meeting in Strasbourg-Kehl, the NATO Flag was raised today at Camp Eggers in Kabul marking the start of NATO’s mission to enhance training and mentoring of the Afghan National Security Forces.
This new Alliance mission will merge with the US-led Combined Security Transition Command (CSTC-A) to foster new and existing relationships and build on the already expanding task of training and mentoring the Afghan National Security Forces in preparation for the future security and sustainment of Afghanistan. In particular NTM-A will build on its training capacity with the Afghan National Army, while adding much needed emphasis on training the Afghan National Police. Building capability, capacity and quality of ANSF forces will enable the Government of Afghanistan to take the lead in bringing security and stability to Afghanistan.
“Our mission is about teaming with Afghans to build a bright, dynamic future for this sovereign nation. As the NTM-A/CSTC-A mission has evolved, so has the mindset governing our outlook and perspective,” said Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, the new commander of NTM-A and CSTC-A. “This new mindset, a mindset that challenges us to focus on the people of Afghanistan, requires us to be agile, adaptive, culturally respectful, and innovative. With this mission, and this new mindset, the path to success for NTM-A/CSTC-A lies with 3 T’s; teaming, transparency, and transition.”
Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, the new commander of NTM-A, intends to continue focusing coalition forces efforts on Afghanistan’s sustainability as a free and open society.
Afghan Minister of Defense H.E. Minister Wardak, Afghan Minister of the Interior H.E. Minister Atmar, International Security Assistance Force, Commanding General Gen. Stanley McChrystal, and more than 400 soldiers, civilians and partner nation representatives attended the activation and change-of-command ceremony.
NATO launches rocket fuel oxidizer destruction project in Uzbekistan
Oqtosh, Samarkand Province. On 26 November, a NATO-sponsored project will be launched in Uzbekistan, for the safe destruction of 1100 tones of mélange. Stocks of this highly toxic substance, which was used during the Soviet era as rocket fuel oxidiser, are being kept in storage conditions, which could pose a potential risk to the environment and local population. The clean-up process is expected to take one year, using a NATO mobile plant that has already been used successfully in Azerbaijan.
The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme will cover the operational costs. The NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) will operate the plant in Uzbekistan together with local experts specially trained for this purpose.
The government of Uzbekistan supports the project by supplying the necessary chemicals, infrastructure and logistic support.
The mobile plant was built three years ago, with the financial support of the NATO SPS Programme and under the operational oversight of NAMSA. It has already successfully converted over 1300 tones of mélange into a non-hazardous, low-grade fertilizer. NATO has invested €2,200,000 in the construction, transport, assembly and operation of the plant, as well as in technical personnel.
Opening ceremony
The launch of the project will be marked by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday afternoon, 26 November, at the military base of Oqtosh (Samarkand Province).
The Minister of Defence of Uzbekistan, Mr. Kabul Berdiyev, and Dr. Chris De Wispelaere, Director of projects at the SPS Programme, on behalf of NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, will preside over the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony, the mélange destruction plant will be visited and its function explained.
A workshop on mélange will be organized in Tashkent on Wednesday, 25 November.
Italian perspective on NATO's new Strategic Concept discussed in Rome
On 23 November, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Atlantic Committee hosted an event to develop recommendations for NATO’s new Strategic Concept, especially in terms of transatlantic relations.
The forum brought together key experts from across the North-Atlantic community, including a number of key Italian NATO officials and experts, to discuss issues ranging from terrorism, cyber defence and energy security to partnerships, enlargement and NATO relations with the UN, the EU and other organisations.
“The debate over the definition of the new Strategic Concept will allow the possibility to preserve and consolidate the transatlantic link, confirming the centrality of NATO in the international security landscape,” said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
“Today, NATO is called on to operate out of its traditional area with a different global partnership between Europe and the US according to a new agenda. NATO continues, however, to be a privileged political forum for the development of relations between both sides of the Atlantic.”
In September 2008, the Italian Atlantic Committee set up a Strategic Concept Working Group (SCWG) to offer a national perspective to the debate launched by the Alliance on its new Strategic Concept. The work of the SCWG aims to assist NATO’s decision-makers in considering all the relevant aspects and implications throughout the negotiating process that will lead to the new Concept.
The former commander of CSTC-A, Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica, applauded previous successes while looking to the future with a sense of optimism and pride with the establishment of NTM-A.
NTM-A will enhance capacity building by providing more opportunities for all NATO nations to become involved in ANSF development. The increased involvement by NATO member nations will help train more Afghan soldiers and police officers, which in turn will allow the Afghan Government to take on more responsibility for their own security.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve here in Afghanistan, said Formica. Those of us who serve here recognize the strategic importance of this mission and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to brining stability and security to the people of Afghanistan.”
Preceding the activation of NTM-A, an official change-of-command ceremony was held at Camp Eggers where Lt. Gen. Caldwell assumed authority from Maj. Gen. Formica.
