April 3 (Reuters) - The leaders of NATO nations and other countries contributing to the alliance's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan issued a declaration on Thursday setting out their "strategic vision". Here are some key points from their statement, which declares a "firm and shared long-term commitment" to Afghanistan. COMMITMENTS -- provide military commanders with resources to fill shortfalls in ISAF, including forces and training teams for Afghan forces -- provide "maximum possible flexibility of use" of forces by the ISAF commander. This is a reference to "caveats", which national governments impose on the use of their forces -- take every measure to avoid civilian casualties -- provide training teams and equipment to get an effective 80,000-strong Afghan National Army by 2010 GOALS -- "extremism and terrorism will no longer pose a threat to stability" -- Self-sufficient Afghan security forces, in the lead in operations -- Afghan government able to extend good governance, reconstruction and development throughout the country, to the benefit of all citizens. (Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Afghan women arrive to attend a free medical assistance camp set up by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in the outskirts of Kabul April 3, 2008. President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed ...
Afghanistan
