Press Release (2005)073 31 May 2005

Statement by the NATO Spokesman on ISAF’s expansion to the West of Afghanistan 31 May 2005 News 31 May 2005 - ISAF ISAF takes command of western PRTs in Herat and Farahs Background NATO in Afghanistan Multimedia Afghanistan Map Today, NATO has significantly expanded its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) into the West of Afghanistan. ISAF has taken command of two additional Provincial Reconstruction Teams, in the provinces of Herat and Farah and of a Forward Support Base (a logistics hub) in Herat. Later this summer, two further ISAF-led PRTs in the West of Afghanistan will be operational, one in Chagcharan, capital of Ghor province, and one in Qal’eh-Now, capital of Baghdis province, completing ISAF’s expansion into the West. This expansion extends NATO’s capability to assist the Government of Afghanistan in making the country safer, more peaceful and more stable. The Alliance will also deploy additional troops to support the upcoming National Assembly elections scheduled for September. And the Alliance is currently making preparations to continue ISAF’s expansion to the south of the country, later in the year.

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