New NATO SCR due next month
11 September, 2012
KABUL: Ambassador Maurits Jochems would arrive in Afghanistan in October to assume charge as NATO's senior civilian representative (SCR), an alliance official said on Monday.
The Dutch diplomat, currently deputy assistant secretary-general for plans in the Operations Division of NATO's International Secretariat, replaces Ambassador Simon Gass, who has completed his 18-month term in Afghanistan
Alexandra Taylor, deputy spokesperson for SCR, told reporters in Kabul that during his assignment in Kabul Gass had seen a number of key achievements, including the training of the Afghan forces by NATO-led troops.
"Their capability, confidence and equipment have improved immeasurably over the past 18 months," he said, explaining ISAF forces were beginning to step back into a mentoring and advising role.
With the transition process moving ahead, three quarters of Afghanistan population were living in areas where the Afghan army and police were taking the lead for security, Taylor said.
Asked about British MP Tobias Ellwood plan for the partition of Afghanistan, he said: "I will refer back to the Chicago declaration at the NATO Summit. The heads of state were very clear. They remain firmly committed to a sovereign, stable and democratic Afghanistan based on the Constitution.
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