(KABUL, Nov. 7 2010) -- Zemarai Bashary, Afghan Ministry of Interior spokesman, and German Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz, ISAF spokesman, held a joint press conference at the Government Media and Information Center.

International Security Assistance Force Headquarters

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 7, 2010) — The spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force spoke about international contributions to Afghan Local Police program during a joint news conference with Afghan Ministry of Interior spokesman, Zemarai Bashary at the Afghan Government Media Information Center today.

German Army Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz called the MOI-led program, in which rural Afghan residents are vetted, trained and organized into village watch teams and serve as early warning and initial village defense elements against insurgent activity, critical to security efforts.

The ALP program operates in locations where the local populace requested the program and selected defenders from within their communities. Typically these are rural areas where the density of Afghan and coalition forces is not sufficient to inhibit insurgent activity.

“ALP empowers villages and reduces the Taliban influence,” General Blotz said. “In places where insurgents attempted to exert pressure on a village that supports ALP, the locals have shown a willingness to resist – an early indication of ALP’s potential.”

At the request of the Afghan Government, the international community provides funding and offers partnership with the Ministry of Interior for training and technical assistance as needed, General Blotz said.

Additionally, ISAF works to collaborate with and support MOI officials in the review, selection and validation of districts where Afghan Local Police units will be established.

“ISAF establishes working partnerships with the local shuras, to assure mutual understanding of the roles and requirements of the members of the local Afghan Local Police,” General Blotz said. “The shura process assists in the screening and approval of individuals proposed for inclusion in the ALP.”

According to General Blotz, ISAF also works with local instructors to conduct the three week training courses to enhance the ability of the ALP members to carry out their defensive mission. The training includes Afghan government policies, military defensive drills, and defensive policing skills.