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| Afghanistan |
| NATO TAKES OVER PROVINCIAL RECONSTRUCTION TEAM IN AFGHANISTAN |
| 2004-01-06 |
| The Coalition-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Konduz transferred authority to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in a ceremony today at the PRT headquarters. The German-led PRT in Konduz is the first in Afghanistan to operate under NATO control, marking another milestone in a series of planned expansion of the PRT program over the next several months. PRTs are a critical element of the Coalition’s strategy of accelerating development and reconstruction, fostering long-term stability in Afghanistan. In attendance at the ceremony were German Army Lt. Gen. Gotz Gliemeroth, commander of the NATO mission to Afghanistan; Lt. Gen. David Barno, commander of Coalition military forces in Afghanistan; and Ali Ahmed Jalali, Afghanistan Minister of the Interior. PRTs serve as a catalyst for stabilization, building relationships and enabling the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. Beginning with its involvement at Konduz, NATO will be a key partner in the PRT program and the reconstruction effort. Coalition forces currently operate six other PRTs in Afghanistan, with an additional five scheduled to open within the next several months. Currently, the PRT in Parwan is operated by the United States and South Korea. New Zealand runs the Bamian PRT, and the British run the PRT in Mazar-e-Sharif. On its own, the U.S. operates PRTs in Kandahar, Gardez and Herat. Provincial Reconstruction Teams are on the cutting edge of stabilization and are improving both security and rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan. |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |