HC Deb 19 March 2002 vol 382 cc208-9W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the United Kingdom will cease to be the lead nation for the International Security Assistance Force for Kabul and its surrounding area under the terms of Annex 1 to the Bonn agreement; and if he will make a statement. [41895]

Mr. Hoon

Negotiations continue with Turkey in pursuit of our aim to hand over our lead nation status of the International Security Assistance Force by 30 April.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to his Turkish counterpart regarding the takeover of the ISAF command in Kabul; and if he will make a statement. [41893]

Mr. Hoon

Official are in close talks with their Turkish counterparts to secure Turkish agreement to take over our status as Lead Nation of the International Security Assistance Force. A joint Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth office team visited Ankara last week for further discussions with Turkish officials. I will be seeing my Turkish counterpart this week.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he has made in the last two months to his European counterparts regarding the extension of the ISAF's mandate; and if he will make a statement; [41891]

(2) what representations he has received from his European counterparts regarding the extension of the ISAF's mandate; and if he will make a statement. [41892]

Mr. Hoon

I have discussed a number of issues regarding the International Security Assistance Force with the defence ministers of several European countries with military personnel deployed with ISAF.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the British forces' commitment to participating in the ISAF after 30 April; [41897]

(2) what support the British troops deployed in Kabul will give to a lead nation after 30 April. [41898]

Mr. Hoon

The United Kingdom will remain a significant contributor to the International Security Assistance Force although we plan to reduce the level of our commitment once we relinquish the leadership of the force.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for ISAF troops to be deployed outside Kabul; and if he will make a statement. [41890]

Mr. Hoon

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)'s area of responsibility (AOR) is limited to Kabul and its environs, as stipulated by the United Nations Security Council resolution 1386 and the Military Technical Agreement signed between the Commander ISAF and the Afghan Interim Administration on 4 January 2002. There are no plans to change this.