Press Release (2005)096 4 August 2005

NATO Deputy Secretary General marks ISAF change of command in Kabul Brussels, Belgium – Today, NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Allessandro Minuto Rizzo welcomed the new ISAF Commander, Lieutenant General Mauro Del Vecchio. Ambassador Minuto Rizzo also paid tribute to the outgoing ISAF Commander, Lieutenant General Ethem Erdagi, and his staff. Under his leadership, Lieutenant General Erdagi has overseen the successful expansion of the NATO-led ISAF mission to the West of the country, including the establishment of 4 Provincial Reconstruction Teams under the ISAF flag. The handover comes at an important time for both the Alliance’s commitment to Afghanistan and for the Afghan Government and people during the run-up to the National Assembly Elections in September. During an extended 9 month tour of duty, Lieutenant General Del Vecchio will oversee the deployment of substantial additional election support forces and take forward the important planning for ISAF’s third phase of expansion to the southern part of Afghanistan, expected in 2006. Both the temporary additional forces to support the Afghan and UN authorities in conducting the September elections and the continued expansion of ISAF’s operations reflect the Alliance’s concrete and long-term commitment to the stability and security of the Afghan people. For further information, please contact the NATO Press and Media Service in Brussels, tel. + 32 (0)2 707 50 41, fax: (32) 2 707 50 57.

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