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UNCLAS USNATO 000502 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL MOPS MCAP MARR NATO AF
SUBJECT: NATO STATEMENT ON USG CONSULTATIONS WITH ALLIES 
AND ISAF PARTNERS ON AFGHANISTAN 
 
¶1. (U) NATO Secretary General Rasmussen issued a statement on 
the November 5 visit to NATO headquarters of a senior USG 
interagency team for consultations on Afghanistan with Allies 
and non-NATO troop contributing nations.  (Note: The 
substance of the consultations will be reported septel.) 
 
¶2. (SBU) Comment: As reflected in the Secretary General's 
statement, the visit was an important demonstration of the 
Administration's commitment to consultations with Allies and 
partners ahead of the Presidential decisions which will be 
taken in response to the assessment and resource request of 
GEN McChrystal, the commander of the NATO-led International 
Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. 
 
¶3. (U) The full text of the Secretary General's statement 
follows: 
 
BEGIN TEXT 
 
05 Nov. 2009 
 
Press Release: (2009) 160 
 
NATO Secretary General statement on consultations for the way 
ahead in Afghanistan 
 
The North Atlantic Council and troop contributing nations of 
the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) met today 
with representatives of the United States Government to 
consult on the way ahead in Afghanistan. 
 
The 43 nations exchanged views on priority issues following 
the conclusion of the Afghan electoral process and ahead of a 
final decision on the strategic approach and associated 
resource requirements.  Allies and non-NATO troop 
contributing nations welcomed the opportunity to exchange 
views on critical questions.  These included: challenges such 
as proposals to enhance the training and development of the 
Afghan National Security Forces; the need for the appointment 
of an inclusive government in Kabul to give the international 
community a strong and reliable partner; and ways to enhance 
the civilian component of international community efforts in 
Afghanistan and improve its coordination.  The meeting also 
reinforced the importance of an effective regional approach, 
stressing the importance of improved cooperation between 
Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
 
The NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, recognised 
the clear sense of continued commitment to Afghanistan from 
the troop contributing nations.  He urged all nations to 
re-examine what further resources they could make available 
in terms of military, financial or civilian contributions to 
help the Afghans take an increasing lead in managing their 
own affairs. 
 
END TEXT 
DAALDER