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Afghan priority for new Nato head Afghan priority for new Nato head
(about 1 hour later)
Nato's priority must be the war in Afghanistan, including negotiations with moderate members of the Taliban, the organisation's new leader says.Nato's priority must be the war in Afghanistan, including negotiations with moderate members of the Taliban, the organisation's new leader says.
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there were "groups that you can talk with" with a view to splitting the militant group. Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Nato must prevent Afghanistan from "becoming again a grand central station of international terrorism".
He said his second priority would be improving ties with Russia, though he admitted there would be difficulties.He said his second priority would be improving ties with Russia, though he admitted there would be difficulties.
One of his other ideas is to create a "standing anti-piracy" capability.One of his other ideas is to create a "standing anti-piracy" capability.
Addressing the media on his first day in the job, Mr Rasmussen said he wanted Nato to work more with civilian organisations. He spoke on Monday, as a bomb attack in the western Afghan city of Herat killed at least 12 people and injured about 20.
Insurgent attacks on security forces have been increasing in the run-up to the presidential election on 20 August.
Nato's new leader replaces Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who repeatedly warned that efforts to subdue the Taliban in Afghanistan remain the alliance's greatest challenge.
'Lot at stake'
Mr Rasmussen said he wanted Nato to work more with civilian organisations.
US soldiers are among the thousands of Nato-led troops in Afghanistan
"Nato is a strong military alliance and we need a strong military effort in Afghanistan," he said."Nato is a strong military alliance and we need a strong military effort in Afghanistan," he said.
"But to win the peace and to win hearts and minds we need to provide Afghan people with better life opportunities and assist the government in better democratic processes." "But to win the peace and to win hearts and minds we need to provide Afghan people with better life opportunities and assist the government in the development of democratic institutions."
He said there was "a lot at stake" both internationally and for Nato in Afghanistan. To help achieve that, Nato needs to expand its capacity to work with the European Union, United Nations and other civilian groups.
While appreciating the increase in troops that Nato's allies have pledged, Mr Rasmussen said: "This is no military solution solely. We have to step up our civilian efforts as well." While appreciating the increase in troops that Nato's allies have pledged, he said there was "a lot at stake", both internationally and for Nato in Afghanistan.
Russian focus The launch in 2001 of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) for Afghanistan was the organisation's first and largest ground operation outside Europe.
As of June 2009, Isaf had more than 61,000 personnel from 42 different countries including the US, European countries, Australia, Jordan and New Zealand.
The largest contributing nations are the US and Britain. They provide about 28,850 and 8,300 troops respectively.
Mr Rasmussen said Afghans must take lead responsibility for security in most of their country during his four-year term.
"Let me be clear: I say 'lead responsibility for the Afghans'", he added. "Nato must and will be there in support. Let no Taliban propagandist try to sell my message as a run for the exit: it is not."
'Negative impact'
As the first anniversary of a brief war between Russia and Georgia looms, Mr Rasmussen said the conflict had had a "very negative impact of relations between Nato and Russia".As the first anniversary of a brief war between Russia and Georgia looms, Mr Rasmussen said the conflict had had a "very negative impact of relations between Nato and Russia".
I want to see Nato reach its full potential as a pillar of global security Anders Fogh Rasmussen
It erupted on 7 August last year as Georgia tried to retake control of South Ossetia. Russia quickly repelled the assault, and built up its military presence in both South Ossetia and Georgia's other breakaway region of Abkhazia.It erupted on 7 August last year as Georgia tried to retake control of South Ossetia. Russia quickly repelled the assault, and built up its military presence in both South Ossetia and Georgia's other breakaway region of Abkhazia.
But Nato's new leader said the differences between the alliance and Moscow should not overshadow common security concerns, such as terrorism. Nato's new leader said the differences between the alliance and Moscow should not overshadow common security concerns, such as terrorism.
"We are faced with real disputes on a number of areas," he said. "I consider it a very important challenge for me to convince the Russian people and Russian leadership that Nato is not an enemy of Russia, Nato is not directed against Russia," he said.
"However, I consider it a very important challenge for me to convince the Russian people and Russian leadership that Nato is not an enemy of Russia, Nato is not directed against Russia." Speaking more broadly about Nato's role, Mr Rasmussen described Nato as "the ultimate insurance policy" for almost one billion people in 28 countries.
"I want to see Nato reach its full potential as a pillar of global security," he said.