Nigel Chamberlain, NATO Watch
Opening his monthly press conference on 5 November, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that Afghan troops and police will be fully in charge of security across their country in just over two years, adding:
Today, the Afghan forces are in the lead for providing security to 75% of the Afghan population. During the first six months of this year, they led over 80% of all operations. And they are currently conducting 85% of training. … and … They are constantly improving their literacy rates. They are developing vital skills, such as air support, medical evacuation, maintenance and logistics. They now have a force of 10,000 Special Operations troops.
The Secretary General said that ISAF is focusing most of its efforts not on combat but on support, training and mentoring and that the Afghan authorities have committed to improving governance, the fight against corruption and to ensuring the protection of human rights, including those of women.
Rasmussen went on to promote Ocean Shield, NATO’s anti-piracy contribution in the waters around the Horn of Africa, contrasting the figures for 2011 when pirates captured 24 ships with the seven captured in 2012. While 129 pirate attacks were recorded in 2011, just 19 were recorded in 2012.
Abbreviated summary of Q&A
Q1: Middle East News Agency. Will NATO accept the demand of Turkey to deploy Patriot missiles along its border with Syria?
A1: No such request has been received. Allies would have to consider it, if it was made.
Q2: Reuters. Russian officials have said they would stop cooperating with NATO over Afghanistan after 2014, unless NATO seeks UN Security Council authorization for its new post-2014 training mission. Does NATO or any member of the Alliance intend to seek Security Council authorization for the new Afghan mission?
A2: This is a hypothetical question. We would be able to operate in Afghanistan after 2014 on the basis of an invitation from the Afghan Government. A UN mandate would be a good, but not necessary.
Q3: Agence Europe. Can you tell us where NATO stands in relations with Russia on missile defence and on the transfer hub in Russia for ISAF redeployment of troops from Afghanistan? Will there be a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in the next ministerial meeting in December?
A3: There has been no progress on missile defence discussion with Russia. The transit arrangements with Russia have been expanded on a number of occasions. I would expect a NATO-Russia Council Meeting at Foreign Ministers level to take place in December.
Q4: ANSA. What are your expectations for the US Presidential Election and the future for the US commitment to Europe?
A4: I'm sure that the United States will stay committed to a very strong transatlantic relationship, whoever wins the election. NATO will remain a cornerstone in Euro-Atlantic security. Our cooperation with the current administration has been the very best.
Q5: NTV Turkey. Is there is any update at a technical level or military level in NATO’s contingency plan for Syria and whether the missile defence radar system in Turkey could be used against any threat coming from Syria? Will NATO forces be deployed in Afghanistan after 2014 to protect those who will train the Afghans?
A5: I think you would be surprised if a defence alliance like NATO didn't have all plans in place to protect and defend any Ally, including Turkey but we don't comment on details in our contingency planning. We will make sure that our trainers and instructors can operate in a secure environment in Afghanistan after 2014.
Q6: Spanish News Agency Europa Press. When do you expect the Commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (COMISAF) to give his recommendations on the force level that they still need in Afghanistan for 2013 and 2014? How many ISAF troops are still today doing combat operations? Is NATO worried that there has been no political progress in the Ukraine following their elections to carry on with its reforms and join NATO?
A6: I would expect the COMISAF recommendation to be ready by the end of this year. Let me stress that all our troops stand ready for combat if needed throughout the transition period. It's not possible to provide you with an exact figure because it's very much dependent on the situation on the ground, day by day. I'm very concerned about the situation in Ukraine. It's clear that the parliamentarian elections constituted a step backwards for Ukrainian democracy and the rule of law which is key to Euro-Atlantic security. I would also like to add that the Alliance stands ready to further assist Ukraine in its reforms.
Q7: NHK Japan Broadcasting Corporation.Can you envisage a rise in violence during the Afghan presidential election in April 2014 and how would NATO respond?
A7: The Afghan Security Forces will be in the lead for providing security in the run-up to and during the elections in Afghanistan and we will be ready to assist them.
Q8: Jane's Defence Weekly. NATO Allies are looking at cyber-offensive doctrines and tactics. Does it make sense and is it in the logic of defence planning that major NATO Allied countries, with the US in the lead with France and the UK also looking at this, if needed, but not NATO?
A8: It makes perfect sense to have a division of labour between NATO as an alliance and individual NATO Allies. I have to stress that it is a major responsibility for individual Allies to protect their systems effectively. And it's their national decision to develop an effective cyber-defence. As regards NATO, we are in the process of strengthening our cyber-security. And you're right. It is a defensive strategy because we want to defend ourselves against attacks on NATO systems. So we have improved and we will continue to strengthen the security of our information and communication systems.
Q9: The Danish News Agency. The International Crisis Group on Afghanistan has concluded that there is a risk that the Afghan Government may collapse after the end of the ISAF operation. Has this report encouraged NATO to reappraise its approach to Afghanistan?
A9: I don't share the pessimistic views expressed in the report from the International Crisis Group, neither does President Karzai. He reassured me that the Afghan Government will step up its efforts to improve governance, to fight corruption, to provide basic services to the Afghan people in the most efficient manner.