The new Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) of NATO in Afghanistan, Maurits Jochems, will arrive in Kabul next week, NATO spokesman James Appathurai told reporters Wednesday.| Welcome, Maurits, and good luck. Remember, when the Princess Pats tell you to duck, get your head down quick! |
Jochems, of Dutch nationality, is at present Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations in the 26-member alliance. The length of his stay in Kabul has not been determined as yet, added the spokesman.
| Depends on whether or not he listens to the Princess Pats. |
Working closely with NATOs International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, the SCR provides a direct channel of communication between the theatre and NATO headquarters in Brussels. NATO created the position of a SCR in October 2003, to represent the political leadership of the Alliance in Kabul. The first SCR appointed by NATO was Minister Hikmet Etin of Turkey. In August 2006, minister Etin was succeeded by Ambassador Daan Everts from The Netherlands. |