NATO seeks UN authorization for expanding peacekeeping in Afghanistan

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, October 11, 2003

NATO seeks UN authorization for expanding peacekeeping in Afghanistan

NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson has expressed the military alliance's readiness to seek UN authorization for expanding its peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan.

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NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson has expressed the military alliance's readiness to seek UN authorization for expanding its peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan.

In letters to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan published Friday, Robertson outlined in broad terms the long-range strategy for the NATO-led international force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, including the expansion of troop movements outside the capital of Kabul.

NATO, which assumed the command of the 5,500-strong ISAF on Aug.11, has decided in principle to expand ISAF's operation to other parts of Afghanistan.

"The expansion of the ISAF mission would strengthen the ability of the Afghan Transitional Authority to provide a secure environment for its people," Robertson said.

"Such expansion would be subject to the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution providing appropriate authority and the identification and provision of appropriate assets."

The Security Council did not immediately schedule a meeting on the subject.

US Ambassador John Negro Ponte, who holds the rotating council presidency, said Tuesday that he expected the council to discuss NATO's request after a planned visit to Afghanistan by a council mission from Oct. 31 to Nov. 8.

Annan and the Afghan transitional government have repeatedly called for the deployment of ISAF outside Kabul to help stabilize the country's security situation.

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