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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000120 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018 
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AFDB PK
SUBJECT: ISAF'S STRATEGIC VISION STATEMENT 
 
USNATO 00000120  001.2 OF 004 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Richard Olson, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: NATO and ISAF Heads of State and Government 
in Bucharest agreed a stand alone public declaration 
outlining "ISAF's Strategic Vision."  The statement ) 
separate from the Summit communique ) was designed to 
reinforce to Allied and Partner publics why NATO went to 
Afghanistan, to highlight what ISAF has accomplished to-date, 
and to lay out a long-term commitment and corresponding 
vision to tackle the remaining challenges.  In the statement, 
HOSG explicitly acknowledge the link between security in 
Afghanistan, and security in Allied and Partner homelands and 
beyond (para 1).  HOSG also pledge to share the burden, fill 
remaining ISAF force shortfalls, and provide COMISAF maximum 
flexibility in using those forces (para 9).  They pledge to 
provide the training teams and equipment support (para 5) to 
meet the goal of an 80,000 strong ANA by 2010 (notably, prior 
to this statement NATO had only committed to provide trainers 
to help meet the old goal of a 70,000 strong ANA). Leaders 
also welcome the sharpened UNAMA mandate (para 6), committing 
to work closely with UN SRSG Eide as UNAMA further expands 
throughout Afghanistan, and in support of UNAMA's lead role 
in coordinating the international civilian effort and 
improving civil-military coordination.  Finally, looking at 
the region, HOSG "look forward to deepening our engagement 
with Afghanistan's neighbors, particularly Pakistan," and 
pledge to "support efforts" to improve security along the 
Afghanistan-Pakistan border (para 8). END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) ISAF'S STRATEGIC VISION 
 
Declaration by the Heads of State and Government of the 
Nations contributing to the UN-mandated NATO-led 
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan 
 
¶1. We gather in Bucharest to reaffirm our determination to 
help the people and the elected Government of Afghanistan 
build an enduring stable, secure, prosperous and democratic 
state, respectful of human rights and free from the threat of 
terrorism. Afghanistan is the Alliance's key priority.  We 
recognised after the tragic events of 11 September 2001, that 
Euro-Atlantic and broader international security is tied to 
Afghanistan's stability and future. Our presence in 
Afghanistan is at the request of the Government of 
Afghanistan and mandated by the United Nations. Neither we 
nor our Afghan partners will allow extremists and terrorists 
such as the Taliban or al-Qaeda, to regain control of 
Afghanistan or use it as a base for terror that threatens all 
of our people and has been felt in many of our countries and 
beyond. As we help Afghanistan rebuild, our guiding 
principles are: 
 
- a firm and shared long-term commitment; 
- support for enhanced Afghan leadership and responsibility; 
- a comprehensive approach by the international community, 
bringing together civilian and military efforts; 
- increased cooperation and engagement with Afghanistan's 
neighbours, especially Pakistan. 
 
We welcome President Hamid Karzai and United Nations 
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon along with his Special 
 
SIPDIS 
Representative Kai Eide to this Summit and reaffirm our 
shared vision for Afghanistan. 
 
¶2. In helping the Afghan people build security today, we are 
defending basic values we all share, including freedom, 
democracy and human rights as well as respect for the views 
and beliefs of others.  While much remains to be done, 
Afghanistan has made important strides in developing its 
democracy and improving the lives of its citizens; its 
Government is strengthening its capacity in these areas.  A 
reconciliation process for national unity has begun and basic 
 
USNATO 00000120  002.2 OF 004 
 
 
security and infrastructure have improved. Over the past six 
years, access to health care has increased tenfold; access to 
education is up six times and women again have rights 
protected by law. Afghan and international forces from 40 
countries, working side-by-side, are creating security 
conditions that make this progress possible. Nevertheless, 
security challenges remain. Violent extremists continue to 
attack fragile governmental institutions and the people of 
Afghanistan. They increasingly revert to indiscriminate 
terror attacks and intimidation but Afghanistan's and our 
capacity to counter them continues to grow. 
 
¶3. Our vision of success is clear: extremism and terrorism 
will no longer pose a threat to stability; Afghan National 
Security Forces will be in the lead and self-sufficient; and 
the Afghan Government will be able to extend the reach of 
good governance, reconstruction, and development throughout 
the country to the benefit of all its citizens.  This 
declaration is supported by a medium-term, internal 
political-military plan - consistent with the Afghanistan 
Compact and the Afghan National Development Strategy - which 
will be updated regularly and against which we will measure 
progress. 
 
Our shared long-term commitment 
 
¶4. We will continue to assist the Government of Afghanistan 
in further establishing and maintaining a secure environment 
and extending good governance.  To enhance our security 
effort we will: 
 
- support each other in sharing the burden in Afghanistan; 
- provide our military commanders the tools they need for 
success by filling remaining ISAF shortfalls including 
forces, training teams and enablers; 
- provide maximum possible flexibility of use of our forces 
by the ISAF Commander; 
- continue to ensure that every measure is taken to avoid 
civilian casualties; 
- enhance our capacity to counter extremist propaganda and 
communicate more effectively our goals accomplishments and 
remaining challenges to Afghan and international audiences. 
 
Enhancing Afghan Leadership 
 
¶5. Only Afghan-led security forces and institutions can 
ensure the rule of law in the long term. The Afghan National 
Army is increasingly demonstrating the ability to 
successfully plan and conduct complex operations with our 
forces in support. As Afghanistan's security forces become 
increasingly capable of leading and sustaining operations 
independently, we expect ISAF's role will be able to evolve 
to one primarily of training and mentoring. We welcome the 
growing international focus on building the capacity of the 
Afghan police which are vital for the stability and security 
of the nation. In support of all this, we will: 
 
- provide the training teams and help provide the equipment 
needed to meet the goal of an effective 80,000-strong Afghan 
Army by 2010; 
- work towards progressively transferring lead security 
responsibility throughout the country to Afghan forces, 
supported by ISAF, as appropriate conditions are met and 
Afghan capacity permits; we accordingly welcome Afghanistan's 
expressed intention to assume lead security responsibility 
for Kabul as soon as feasible; 
- encourage the appointment of a senior Afghan military 
officer to ISAF Headquarters when circumstances permit; 
- assist the development of effective civilian-controlled 
security and defence institutions including through the 
NATO-Afghanistan Cooperation Programme; 
- assist the development of the Afghan National Police within 
 
USNATO 00000120  003.2 OF 004 
 
 
our means and capabilities and in close coordination with 
relevant international actors, where appropriate; 
- support the Government of Afghanistan in building capacity 
to communicate more effectively and respond to extremist 
propaganda; 
- help strengthen Afghan institutions required to fully 
establish the rule of law, protect human rights and promote 
our shared values, while respecting Afghan culture and 
traditions; 
- provide security support to upcoming elections in 
Afghanistan; 
- continue to support Afghan-led efforts to tackle the 
narcotics problem. 
 
Enhanced coordination 
 
¶6. There can be no lasting security without development and 
no development without security. Success requires a 
comprehensive approach across security, governance and 
development efforts and between all local and international 
partners in support of the Afghan Government.  We will 
intensify our contribution to such a comprehensive approach. 
To this end, we: 
 
- welcome United Nations Security Council Resolution 1806 
which sharpens the UN Mission in Afghanistan's mandate and 
decides to strengthen cooperation with ISAF; 
- look forward to working closely with UN Special 
Representative of the Secretary General Kai Eide and the UN 
Mission in Afghanistan as it further expands throughout the 
country, and in support of its lead role in coordinating the 
overall international civilian effort, improved 
civil-military coordination, political outreach and 
governance; 
- will work on more regular consultations with all actors 
involved in Afghanistan as appropriate and in close 
coordination with the Afghan Government; 
- welcome the upcoming Paris Conference that will review 
progress on and strengthen international efforts to further 
implement the Afghanistan Compact. 
 
¶7. Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) play a significant 
role in enabling security, governance and development. We 
pledge to provide all the PRTs needed, enhance their unity of 
effort, strengthen their civilian component and further align 
their development strategies with Afghan Government 
priorities until such a time as Afghan Government 
institutions are strong enough to render PRTs unnecessary. 
 
Afghanistan's neighbours and the Region 
 
¶8. Afghanistan's neighbours have an important role to play in 
helping Afghanistan build a more stable and secure future. 
The threats of violent extremism and narcotics are not 
Afghanistan's alone. The region stands to benefit when these 
threats are dealt with effectively. To help foster a 
long-term regional approach to security challenges and 
cooperation, we: 
 
- call on Afghanistan's neighbours to act resolutely in 
support of the Afghan Government's efforts to build a stable 
Afghanistan with secure borders; 
- look forward to deepening our engagement with Afghanistan's 
neighbors, particularly Pakistan; 
- support efforts to improve security and stability along the 
Afghanistan/Pakistan border, and, encourage further 
cooperation and intensified dialogue between Afghanistan and 
Pakistan including through the Jirga mechanisms, the Ankara 
process and the Tripartite Commission. 
 
Conclusion 
 
USNATO 00000120  004.2 OF 004 
 
 
¶9. We as Allies and Partners stand united in our firm 
commitment to support the Afghan people fulfil their 
aspirations for a better life. The Afghan Government and 
people are taking increasing responsibility for the country's 
security, reconstruction and development.   Together we will 
ensure they achieve the future they have long been denied and 
thereby bring greater security to all of our people. 
NULAND