HL Deb 07 July 2004 vol 663 c86WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What response they are making to the letter addressed to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation by 54 non-governmental organisations calling for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation "to do more to address the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan". [HL3417]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

As announced at the NATO summit in Istanbul on 28–29 June, NATO will expand the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in stages across Afghanistan through the establishment of additional provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs). ISAF will also provide enhanced support to the Afghan authorities during the elections currently scheduled to take place in September. The UK fully supports NATO security efforts in Afghanistan and currently contributes around 400 troops to ISAF operations under NATO command. The two UK-led PRTs in Mazar-e Sharif and Meymana will transfer to NATO authority as soon as practicable.

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they will support at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit to combat drug growers and traffickers, private militias and terrorist groups in Afghanistan. [HL3418]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:

The UK fully supports the implementation of NATO's agreed plan for expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) announced at the Istanbul summit on 28–29 June. This is based on the phased expansion of the network of provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) across Afghanistan. The two UK-led PRTs in Mazar-e Sharif and Meymana will transfer to NATO authority as soon as practicable and the UK will also provide a forward support base for all PRTs in the north. PRTs aim to help to improve the security environment in the areas in which they operate and to extend the remit of the Afghan transitional administration. This underpins efforts to demobilise and disarm Afghan militia forces. The UK particularly welcomes NATO's commitment to provide appropriate support, within ISAF's mandate, to the Afghan authorities in taking resolute action against the production and trafficking of narcotics.