NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at meeting of the North Atlantic Council Tuesday (17 August 2021) in Brussels, Belgium to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. (Credit: nato.int)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
NATO’s priority is to ensure the safe departure of personnel from Allied and partner countries, and of the Afghans who have helped the military alliance amid the rapid collapse of the Afghanistan government and take over by the Taliban. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made the statement at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels Tuesday to discuss the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan. The NATO Secretary General also stated that here must be a peaceful transfer of power to an inclusive government with no revenge or retribution.
“NATO has been working round the clock to maintain operations at Kabul international airport. Around 800 NATO civilian personnel have remained to provide key functions under very challenging circumstances. Including air traffic control, fuel, and communications. NATO’s focus right now is to ensure the safe departure of personnel from Allied and partner countries, and of the Afghans who have helped us.”‘
-NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels.
NATO Maintains Diplomatic Presence in Afghanistan
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at meeting of the North Atlantic Council Tuesday (17 August 2021) in Brussels, Belgium to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. (Credit: nato.int)
“Our Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Pontecorvo and his team have been working closely with Allies and the rest of the international community to coordinate and facilitate the evacuation. And we remain committed to completing evacuations including of our Afghan colleagues, as soon as possible. The Taliban must respect and facilitate the safe departure of all those who wish to leave. The airport, as well as roads and border crossings, must be open. All Afghan men, women and children deserve to live in safety and dignity. There must be a peaceful transfer of power to an inclusive government. With no revenge or retribution,” NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.
“Failure of Afghan leadership led to the tragedy we are witnessing today” –NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.
“…what we have seen in the last few weeks was a military and political collapse at a speed which had not been anticipated. Parts of the Afghan security forces fought bravely. But they were unable to secure the country. Because ultimately, the Afghan political leadership failed to stand up to the Taliban and to achieve the peaceful solution that Afghans desperately wanted. This failure of Afghan leadership led to the tragedy we are witnessing today.”
NATO Prevented Terror Attacks on Allied Soil Organised from Afghanistan – Stoltenberg
“But we should also recognise the gains we have made. NATO Allies and partners went into Afghanistan after 9/11 to prevent the country from serving as a safe haven for international terrorists to attack us. In the last two decades, there have been no terrorist attacks on Allied soil organised from Afghanistan. Those now taking power have the responsibility to ensure that international terrorists do not regain a foothold. Allies have the capabilities and the vigilance to address future terrorist threats from Afghanistan.”
