Pakistan, Afghanistan, U.S., NATO review plans of NATO-ISAF expansion

Senior military and diplomatic representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)- International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), on Tuesday reviewed plans to extend the reach of the government of Afghanistan through greater NATO-ISAF presence in the south.

The 17th meeting of the Tripartite Commission, composed of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Coalition Forces in Afghanistan was the first time attended by NATO-ISAF as a full member of the Tripartite Commission.

NATO and ISAF agreed that NATO-ISAF's expanded role in the Tripartite Commission was very important for ensuring effective coordination in this region, a Pakistani army statement said.

NATO-ISAF assumes control of international military forces operating in southern Afghanistan this summer.

The session began with a presentation by the Coalition's Counter-Improved Explosive Device (C-IED) working group that explained the results of a recently completed symposium at Bagram, Afghanistan, at which Coalition, Afghan and Pakistani forces reviewed the latest procedures and training related to IED defeat systems, the statement said.

Following the C-IED presentation, the Military Intelligence- Sharing Working Group briefed on the latest efforts to connect all parties to a common intelligence-sharing database, providing a common view of enemy intentions and activities, it said.

Next, the Border Security Subcommittee discussed progress made during its first-ever meeting in late May that addressed the southern Afghanistan-Pakistan border area.

The May meeting marked a significant step in coordinating security operations along the border area.

Following those discussion, the Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Coalition delegations each presented after-action reports on Operation Mountain Lion, the operation to deny sanctuary and safe haven for their common enemy, and to improve the lives of the Afghan people through various reconstruction projects and humanitarian assistance.

The operations were jointly-planned and executed among the Coalition, Afghanistan and Pakistan forces.

The parties discussed both success stories and lessons learned for improving coordinated efforts in future operations.

The Tripartite Commission will meet again in August 2006 in Afghanistan.

Source: Xinhua