The mission of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, currently led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is to maintain a safe environment for the country's upcoming elections, for the spread of rule of law and for reconstruction projects.

According to a June 28 fact sheet released by the White House, ISAF is currently conducting operations such as patrols through the capital city of Kabul, operating the city's international airport, and coordinating civil military cooperation for reconstruction and infrastructure projects.

The fact sheet said NATO is operating a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Konduz and intends to add four more teams as part of its planned expansion in the northern and western areas of the country.

The United States is contributing over 18,000 troops and 12 PRTs, according to the fact sheet.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Istanbul, Turkey)
June 28, 2004

FACT SHEET

NATO's Role in Afghanistan

NATO assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on August 11, 2003. There are currently over 6,000 troops in ISAF, representing personnel from all 26 NATO Allies, and 9 of NATO's PfP Partners. The largest contributors are Canada and Germany, with over 1,700 troops each. ISAF currently operates in Kabul and Konduz, through a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) led by Germany.

Mission. ISAF's mission is to maintain a safe environment conducive to the holding of free and fair elections, the spread of the rule of law, and the reconstruction of the country. NATO is supporting the Government of Afghanistan in expanding its authority to the rest of the country, helping ensure Afghanistan's development as a stable democracy, which will never again be a haven for terrorism.

Chain of Command. Under the political authority of the North Atlantic Council, Command is exercised through the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) and the sub-ordinate Headquarters, Allied Forces North Europe (AFNORTH). Canada currently provides the command headquarters for ISAF. The Eurocorps, under French leadership, will assume command of the operation within the NATO chain of command in August 2004.

Operations. NATO's activities in Afghanistan include:

-- Conducting patrols throughout Kabul;

-- Operating Kabul international airport;

-- Coordinating civil military cooperation for reconstruction and infrastructure projects such as provision of electric power, water, and shelter;

-- Removing and securing heavy weapons;

-- Providing support to the Afghan Government and the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan; and

-- Assisting in the training of Afghan security forces.

Expansion of ISAF. In December 2003, the North Atlantic Council authorized the expansion of ISAF beyond Kabul, beginning with the German PRT in Konduz. Based on recent additional announcements of Allied contributions toward ISAF's Statement of Requirements and the certification by NATO's Supreme Allied Commander General Jones, Allied leaders agreed today to work toward completion of expansion in the north of the country (Stage I) and to initiate expansion in the west of the country (Stage II).

As part of the Stage I expansion in the north, NATO intends to add 4 other PRTs in addition to the PRT in Konduz. These will likely include 3 new PRTs (planned for Maimana, Feyzabad, and Baglan) and the possible transfer of the U.K. PRT in Mazaar-e-Sharif from OEF to ISAF command.

Stage II expansion calls for the creation of a Forward Support Base and the establishment of additional PRTs in the west of the country.

NATO's objective is to expand ISAF and to ensure other necessary increases in ISAF troop levels to provide support for national elections to be held in Afghanistan this autumn.

U.S. Contributions. The United States contributes to stability efforts in Afghanistan through its leadership of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), which includes 12 PRTs and over 18,000 U.S. troops. The United States has also agreed to provide emergency support to ISAF if needed through an OEF-ISAF Memorandum of Understanding. There are 61 U.S. troops assigned to ISAF. In close coordination with our NATO Allies, we hope to work gradually toward placing OEF and ISAF under a single NATO chain of command in order to maximize the efficiency of our overall stabilization efforts in the country.