Kazakhstan does not mean sending military troops to Afghanistan

Vesti.kz stock photo

Kazakhstan is sending to Afghanistan NOT military troops, but rather four officers to the International Security Assistance Force headquarters, Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Askar Abdrakhmanov said. May 18 2011 Kazakhstan’s Majilis (lower chamber) approved of ratification of an agreement with NATO about Astana’s involvement in the international coalition forces in Afghanistan. Ratification has yet to be approved by the Kazakhstan’s senate and signed by President Nazarbayev. “The Agreement between Kazakhstan and NATO envisages sending 4 Kazakhstan’s officers to serve with the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul. They will be rotated every 6 months”, Mr. Abdrakhmanov elaborated. Thus, the agreement implies “not sending Kazakhstan’s military troops [to Afghanistan], but rather contribution to the efforts of the Government - UN-recognized and voted for by the Afghan people – to ensure safety and reconstruct peaceful life in this country”. Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Askar Abdrakhmanov reminded that the International coalition in Afghanistan comprises 47 nations, 19 of which are NOT members of NATO and 6 are members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The Taliban had warned majority Muslim Kazakhstan that its decision to send troops to the NATO-led war in Afghanistan would have severe consequences and was not in its regional interest, Reuters reported earlier.

Kazakhstan is sending to Afghanistan NOT military troops, but rather four officers to the International Security Assistance Force headquarters, Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Askar Abdrakhmanov said. May 18 2011 Kazakhstan’s Majilis (lower chamber) approved of ratification of an agreement with NATO about Astana’s involvement in the international coalition forces in Afghanistan. Ratification has yet to be approved by the Kazakhstan’s senate and signed by President Nazarbayev. “The Agreement between Kazakhstan and NATO envisages sending 4 Kazakhstan’s officers to serve with the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul. They will be rotated every 6 months”, Mr. Abdrakhmanov elaborated. Thus, the agreement implies “not sending Kazakhstan’s military troops [to Afghanistan], but rather contribution to the efforts of the Government - UN-recognized and voted for by the Afghan people – to ensure safety and reconstruct peaceful life in this country”. Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Askar Abdrakhmanov reminded that the International coalition in Afghanistan comprises 47 nations, 19 of which are NOT members of NATO and 6 are members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The Taliban had warned majority Muslim Kazakhstan that its decision to send troops to the NATO-led war in Afghanistan would have severe consequences and was not in its regional interest, Reuters reported earlier.