Ambassador Manizha Bakhtari attended the annual seminar of the Norwegian Air Force Academy in Trondheim on 4th February 2010 and delivered a speech on Afghanistan’s security and future strategies.
The seminar attended by the Norwegian Defense Minister Grete Faremo, head of Norwegian Air Force, senior officers, members of Parliament, researchers, analysts and journalists.
The Norwegian Air force’s annual Air Power Seminar on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force seminar gathers many prominent profiles of the Norwegian society.
During this year’s seminar the security sector in Afghanistan and military development in the country were among important topics.
Ambassador Manizha Bakhtari thanked the Norwegian government for its generous contribution towards Afghanistan’s peace process, reconstruction and stability and expressed her deepest condolences to the death of the 22 year old Norwegian soldier who was killed in Ghormach district less than a month ago.
The Ambassador briefly illustrated Afghanistan’s achievements in the past few years and elaborated on the military, security and reintegration policies of the Afghan government, based on the consultations during the London conference.
Mrs. Ambassador stated: “From several years of experience in Afghanistan, we have noticed that political resolution is the only way to stop war and bring peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.” Mrs. Ambassador added: “Peaceful negotiations and reintegration of Afghan Taliban who accept the constitution of Afghanistan, cut ties with Al Qaeda and lay down their weapons is one of the main priorities of the Afghan government.”
Mrs. Ambassador mentioned: “Getting the leadership of every activity, particularly military and security issues, is one the most significant priorities of the Afghan government. Even though Afghan security forces already got the leadership of more than 60 percent of the military operations with support of international forces in Afghanistan, there is still a lot to be accomplished. The government of Afghanistan wants to take the entire responsibility of inspecting and searching those houses which are suspected by national or international security forces.” Mrs.
Ambassador added: “This act will eliminate distance between government and afghan citizens, and will help to build trust and bring the Afghan government and international forces closer to the civilian population.
Mrs. Ambassador said: “Increasing, strengthening and equipping Afghan security forces, Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police is one of the priorities of the Afghan government. By 2011, the number of ANA will increase to 171,600 and the police forces to 134,000, thus the international community should focus on commissioning professional training and equipping these forces to make them capable to achieve the identified objectives in Afghanistan.”
At the end of her speech the Ambassador appealed to the international forces to reduce civilian casualties and added that civilian casualties cause anger and hatred among civilians towards the international forces and the Afghan government.
The President of Afghanistan has always emphasized that winning the war in Afghanistan requires support and cooperation of the Afghan people, while civilian casualties has fueled anti-American sentiments in Afghanistan, and undermined all achievement in maintaining a closer relation between the government and the people.
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