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In letter to Annan, NATO mulls expanding operation outside Afghan capital

10 October – As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), responsible for leading the international security force in the Afghan capital of Kabul, mulls the possibility of expanding its operations and moving into other parts of Afghanistan, the head of the alliance said it would first need specific authorization from the United Nations Security Council.

NATO assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan on 11 August. A pair of recent letters from NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan outlines in broad terms the long-range strategy for the forces in Afghanistan, including the expansion of troop movements outside the Kabul area.

"The expansion of the ISAF mission would strengthen the ability of the Afghan Transitional Authority (ATA) to provide a secure environment for its people. Such expansion would be subject to the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution providing appropriate authority and the identification and provision of appropriate assets," a letter dated 6 October said.

The Security Council did not immediately schedule a meeting on the subject.