Two spokesmen from the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters discussed security improvements and upcoming elections in Afghanistan at a press conference at the Government Media and Information Center Aug. 22.

By U.S. Air Force

Senior Airman Tania Reid

ISAF Public Affairs Office

KABUL, Afghanistan- Two spokesmen from the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters and the Ministry of Defense spokesperson came together for the first time to discuss security improvements and upcoming elections in Afghanistan at a press conference held at the Government Media and Information Center here Aug. 22.

German Army   Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz, ISAF spokesman, Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Mohammad Azimi, MOD spokesman and Dominic Medley, spokesperson for the NATO Senior Civilian Representative, addressed the topic of President Hamid Karzai’s decree to dissolve all Private Security Companies in Afghanistan within four months and the state of the country’s Independent Election Commission.

“ISAF continues to support President Karzai’s objective of reducing in the near term with the goal of eventually   transitioning private security responsibilities to Afghan security forces,” Blotz said. “This is an undertaking that requires a deliberate process.”

Consequently, the general said that ISAF would assist in making the change a success.

“ISAF pledges to work closely with the Afghan government to help make this transition successful, under a timeline that achieves President Karzai’s vision as soon as possible,” he added.

 Blotz noted that there was a recent development made to improving security across the country by the Afghan government.

“The Afghan Government, working in close coordination with ISAF, has launched the Ministry of Interior Afghan Local Police program,” he said. “The ALP is a defensive, community –oriented program that brings government presence and creates an improved security situation which will enable rural Afghan economic development.”

He added that the ALP is not a militia program.

“It will have detention but not arrest authority, and ALP personnel will be authorized to conduct investigations under direct supervision of the District Chief of Police,” the ISAF spokesman said.

In addition, the ALP is under the Ministry of Interior control and subject to the same regulations as the Afghan National Police.

Recently, the ISAF operations drove Taliban commanders away from the field, resulting in them directing attacks from a safe distance but heightening the violence and intimidation against Afghans.

The general denounced the Taliban and their treatment of the Afghan people.

“The Taliban are cowards, and they continue to show their callousness in the treatment of the Afghan people,” Blotz said.

He mentioned an example of such brutality when a couple accused of adultery by the Taliban was stoned to death in a public square.

“This is a stunning act of brutality and the Afghan people will, I’m sure carefully consider the actions as insight into the kind of future they’d see under the Taliban,” Blotz added.

In recent reports the Taliban have planned new tactics to harm the Afghan people.

“Taliban leaders instructed fighters in the Sangin area to bury their weapons and integrate with local residents until, as they say, the coalition leaves the area,” he said. “This reveals just how much the Taliban underestimate the resolve of the Coalition and the International Community to sustain a long-term strategic partnership with Afghanistan.”

With regards to the Independent Election Commission, Dominic Medley urged Afghans to exercise their right to vote.

“These elections represent an important political moment, so it is essential that everyone has the opportunity to be represented and that the elections are seen as a major step forward,” Medley said.

He said the Afghan National Security Forces are in the lead with NATO led forces in support of the preparations for the elections which are on track with well developed security measures.

“Everyone is looking to see that the process is credible and the outcome is inclusive,” Medley added. “That is the critical test of these elections and an opportunity to elect a parliament that represents the people of Afghanistan at a critical juncture in their country’s future.”