Press Release
20 April 2003

Ministry of Defence
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan

Kabul - Afghanistan

Senior leaders of the Afghanistan military and the Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan met for discussions 19-20 April at a conference sponsored jointly by the Afghanistan Ministry of Defence and Combined Joint Task Force 180. The theme of the conference was "Shaping the Future of the Afghan Nation - The Military Dimension". Three objectives for the conference were:
- to gain common understanding of the national security strategy;
- to gain common understanding of the roles of the new Afghan National Army;
- to gain insights and perspectives from all senior leaders to shape the future of the Afghan National Army.

All senior leaders, including regional commanders and military corps commanders, as well as senior officials from the Islamic Transitional Government of Afghanistan and the Ministry of Defence, with senior coalition leaders, participated in substantial discussions on the subject areas. There was wide agreement that the future success of Afghanistan depends on national unity with local governments responding to strong central government. The Afghan National Army will also be a single united army, with units composed of all ethnic groups responsible to the people of Afghanistan, through the direction of the central government. The size of the army is based on the perceived security requirements as well as on considerations of affordability. As decided last year at the Bonn conference and affirmed in a Presidential Decree, the armed forces will be no larger than 70,000 members, organised in units throughout the nation. Leaders at the Bonn conference also agreed that a Central Corps based in Kabul would be built first. This Central Corps will be able to respond to emergencies around the Nation.

In an inspirational speech, president Karzai spoke about the need for unity among all Afghans in developing a national spirit and an environment of peace and stability in which economic reconstruction can thrive. Relating the recent history of Jihad, the President reminded all of the perils of factionalism. He encouraged all to work together responding to a central government; to take advantage of the current opportunities presented by international assistance.

Other speakers at the conference included Defence Minister Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, the host of the conference, Lieutenant General Dan McNeil, Commander of Coalition Forces in Afghanistan and co-host of the conference, General Ismail Khan, General Gul Agha Sherzai, General Rahim Wardak, Lieutenant General Atiqullah Baryalai, Lieutenant General Aziz Uddin, Major General Karimi, Major General Mohibullah, Major General Joma Nasir and Brigadier General Gul Aqa. Speeches helped focus discussions on the national security strategy and the roles of the Military in fulfilling the strategy, as well as on considerations for design of the future armed forces.

Senior Leaders discussed the role of the Afghan National Army in the security of Afghanistan, acknowledging its role in defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation, in defeating enemies of the State and in supporting the National Police in providing internal security for the people of Afghanistan. There was agreement that the future Army of Afghanistan must be a national army, with units fully representative of the Nation, and responsive to a strong central Government. Soldiers and officers should be recruited from all ethnicities, all provinces, and from all walks of life that each unit is representative of the Nation, and able to gain the confidence and trust of all people of the Nation.

All senior leaders agree with the idea of building a strong central corps, based in Kabul. There is also strong support among commanders for building units of the new Afghan National Army in areas outside of Kabul as soon as possible. The challenge is how to build a professional, nationally representative army in accordance to the standards, values, and attributes of modern armies, as fast as possible, while continuing to fight enemies of the state to provide a continued stable environment. There was recognition that the existing militia army will play a role in defeating the enemies of the State until the new National Army is built to full effectiveness. On a very positive finding note, all commanders agreed to work closely with the Ministry of Defence in taking direction from the Central Government to the common defence of the nation and in building the new National Army.

Marshal Fahim concluded that this conference was very successful with all of the senior commanders meeting together for the first time since the defeat of the Taliban. All leaders now have a better understanding of the future of the Afghanistan military and shared their perspectives to make it a successful effort.