Afghan President expresses appreciation for ISAF
Afghan President Hamid Karzai spoke to International Security Force (ISAF) personnel in Kabul on 8 January, discussing his country's future and the role of ISAF.
SHAPE, Belgium – Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently spoke with International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel Jan 8, to discuss his country’s future and the role of ISAF.
During the session Karzai praised the efforts of NATO, ISAF and coalition nations for contributing to Afghanistan's continued push toward democracy and freedom.
“ISAF has a very important role that it is accomplishing very well. It is the provisional security to the citizens of this country, mainly in Kabul, and in other parts of the country. During our elections ISAF provided protections for voters,” said Karzai. “I am sure that same security will be provided for the parliamentary elections.”
Mandated under chapter VII of the United Nations charter, ISAF was established in accordance with the Bonn Agreement of December 6, 2001.
The primary role of ISAF is to assist the Afghan Transitional Authority in providing a safe and secure environment in and around Kabul, Afghanistan.
“We are grateful and tremendously thankful [for ISAF]. It is because of your effort that we are where we are today. It is because of the blood that some soldiers shed that this country is more stable and that we have democracy,” said Karzai. “Our people vote now, but it has not come without a cost. This is something we will remember forever in this country. Afghan citizens are once again the owners of Afghanistan and we know how important that is and we are grateful.”
In carrying out this mission, ISAF conducts patrols throughout the 16 different police districts in Kabul and its surrounding areas. Over a third of these patrols are carried out jointly with the Kabul City Police.
On a political level ISAF works closely with the Afghan authorities, the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, non-governmental organizations and other agencies.