International   

NATO takes over peacekeeping in Kabul

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS AUG. 11. NATO, the 22-nation Western military alliance, has embarked on an epoch-making mission with its taking over the peacekeeping mission in Kabul, its first operation outside Europe since it was established 54 years ago in the aftermath of World War II, to maintain peace in the continent and to check the growing influence of the Soviet Union.

As NATO took over the mission from the International Security Force for Afghanistan (ISAF) on Monday, Western diplomats warned that once the force consolidates its position in Kabul, it would come under increasing pressure from the United Nations and non-governmental organisations to extent its mandate to cover other parts of Afghanistan. According to estimates, NATO may have to deploy 10,000 more troops if its mandate is expanded.

The ISAF security force, which looks after Kabul, comprises 5,000 troops. The U.S. has 12,000 troops spread out in other parts of the country. These troops operate under `Operation Enduring Freedom', which is mainly geared to fight the Osama bin Laden-led Al-Qaeda. The ISAF mission was set up in December 2000 to enable the Central Government in Kabul to establish and maintain authority in Kabul and surrounding districts.

According to senior officials of NATO, the force is not only setting a precedent by functioning outside Europe but also carrying out a new peacekeeping mission. General Sir Jack Deverel, Commander-in-Chief of NATO's Northern Command, under whom the Kabul mission will function, said that as NATO was for the first time functioning outside Europe, there was much uncertainty and unpredictability. "It is a real challenge for us.'' NATO has successfully run peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia, all in Europe. It is hoped that NATO's taking over from the ISAF will pay dividends in the form of providing security to the Afghan people.

According to observers, much progress has been made in Afghanistan since the ousting of the Taliban regime. Nearly 2 million Afghan refugees have returned home from neighbouring countries and more than 4 million children now go to school, rated as the highest enrolment rate in Afghanistan's history. Mass immunisation has been conducted and food programmes have prevented starvation for 10 million people in that country.

However, the challenges posed by the Al-Qaeda are still real and NATO's mission is to contain it without escalating the volatile situation there.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Taylor surrenders power to deputy
• Show flexibility, Jamali tells India
• NATO takes over peacekeeping in Kabul
• Kelly wasn't depressed, probe panel told
• China, Japan set stage for n-talks
• Bush ratings indicate changing perception?
• Israel warns Syria on Hezbollah
• A marriage made in the heavens
• 'Human shield' prefers jail to paying fine
• Many die of heat in Paris region
• India, Israel sign agreements on space research
• Militant leader jailed
• Governor-General sworn in
• Faces threat

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu