Secretary General
condemns assassination of Afghan female police officer

The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, condemns the killing of Mrs. Malalai Kakar by Taliban extremists on Sunday, 28 September 2008, in Kandahar City.  Mrs. Malalai Kakar was a leading police officer in southern Afghanistan and the first woman to join the Kandahar police force after the fall of the Taleban in 2001.

“This brutal and cowardly act demonstrates once again that the Taliban will use violence to oppose the advancements that women are making to take their full place in Afghan society. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this brave policewoman who died serving her country.”

NATO-ISAF will continue to work in support of the efforts of the Afghan National Security Forces in bringing security and stability to Afghanistan.

Tel: +32 (0)2 707 50 41 - Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57
press@hq.nato.int - http://www.nato.int