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11/08/2003
Nato troops to back up UN mission to Afghanistan
In its first operation outside of the Euro-Atlantic area, Nato is set to provide "top-level support" to the UN peacekeeping force deployed in and around the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Nato's new role includes giving political and military direction to the UN's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Nato nations already provide 90% of ISAF's troops, including around 300 from the UK.
Afghan authorities and neighbouring countries have welcomed Nato's new role, which will "ensure continuity in the ISAF leadership", according to the MoD.
The UK's contribution to the ISAF, under the banner of Operation Fingal, currently comprises staff officers, an infantry company drawn from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment and a Bulk Fuel Installation at Kabul International Airport.
Elsehwere, the UN has suspended all missions to two border districts in southern Afghanistan following a series of attacks there last week on humanitarian workers and Afghan soldiers.
In addition to the ban on Helmand and Kandahar provinces, there will be no missions to Uruzgan and Zabul or to northern Helmand except to Lashkar Gah or northern Kandahar, a spokesman for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), David Singh, said today.
Last Tuesday, 10 Afghan staff of the non-governmental organization Coordination Humanitarian Assistance were severely beaten by armed men and tied up in their project office in Maiwand district of Kandahar when they refused to release the keys to their vehicles. The attackers burnt three vehicles.
On Thursday, 40 suspected terrorists attacked the district commissioner’s office in Dishu district of Helmand, killing six Afghan soldiers and one Afghan staff member of the Mercy Corps who were sleeping there.
(gmcg)
Nato's new role includes giving political and military direction to the UN's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Nato nations already provide 90% of ISAF's troops, including around 300 from the UK.
Afghan authorities and neighbouring countries have welcomed Nato's new role, which will "ensure continuity in the ISAF leadership", according to the MoD.
The UK's contribution to the ISAF, under the banner of Operation Fingal, currently comprises staff officers, an infantry company drawn from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment and a Bulk Fuel Installation at Kabul International Airport.
Elsehwere, the UN has suspended all missions to two border districts in southern Afghanistan following a series of attacks there last week on humanitarian workers and Afghan soldiers.
In addition to the ban on Helmand and Kandahar provinces, there will be no missions to Uruzgan and Zabul or to northern Helmand except to Lashkar Gah or northern Kandahar, a spokesman for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), David Singh, said today.
Last Tuesday, 10 Afghan staff of the non-governmental organization Coordination Humanitarian Assistance were severely beaten by armed men and tied up in their project office in Maiwand district of Kandahar when they refused to release the keys to their vehicles. The attackers burnt three vehicles.
On Thursday, 40 suspected terrorists attacked the district commissioner’s office in Dishu district of Helmand, killing six Afghan soldiers and one Afghan staff member of the Mercy Corps who were sleeping there.
(gmcg)
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Soldier Dies As Five Victims Mourned
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24 May 2004
More peacekeepers needed for Afghan elections, says Nato
Nato has said that it needs at least another 3,600 troops for its mission in Afghanistan if September's elections are to run smoothly. Returning from a visit to Kabul, Nato Parliamentary Assembly Vice-President and Defence and Security Committee Rapporteur, Pierre Lellouche warned that the NATO mission in Afghanistan was at a "critical juncture".
More peacekeepers needed for Afghan elections, says Nato
Nato has said that it needs at least another 3,600 troops for its mission in Afghanistan if September's elections are to run smoothly. Returning from a visit to Kabul, Nato Parliamentary Assembly Vice-President and Defence and Security Committee Rapporteur, Pierre Lellouche warned that the NATO mission in Afghanistan was at a "critical juncture".
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Afghan Govt Should 'Reach Out' To Taliban
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Afghan Govt Should 'Reach Out' To Taliban
Leading Taliban figures can be persuaded to lay down their arms and enter government, the Foreign Secretary has told NATO members assembled in Scotland. David Miliband said giving top Sunni chiefs' public appointments could bring an end to their violence in the war-torn region.
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Afghan Helicopter Crash Claims Nine
A helicopter crash in the south of Afghanistan, has claimed the lives of nine troops. NATO reported that four others were injured, including two NATO troops, a US civilian and an Afghan soldier. It is believed that none of the dead were British, however the nationalities of the dead have not yet been officially confirmed.
Afghan Helicopter Crash Claims Nine
A helicopter crash in the south of Afghanistan, has claimed the lives of nine troops. NATO reported that four others were injured, including two NATO troops, a US civilian and an Afghan soldier. It is believed that none of the dead were British, however the nationalities of the dead have not yet been officially confirmed.
23 November 2004
Straw welcomes release of British hostage
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has welcomed the release of three UN workers, including one Briton, who had been held hostage in Afghanistan for almost a month. The hostages, which included Northern Ireland woman Annetta Flanigan, had been working with the UN Development Programme on the country's first ever presidential elections.
Straw welcomes release of British hostage
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has welcomed the release of three UN workers, including one Briton, who had been held hostage in Afghanistan for almost a month. The hostages, which included Northern Ireland woman Annetta Flanigan, had been working with the UN Development Programme on the country's first ever presidential elections.
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