Uruzgan mission evaluated: Government and House see tangible results

News article | February 16, 2012

The government and the House of Representatives reviewed the ISAF mission in Uruzgan today. The Netherlands was lead nation of the mission from 2006 to 2010, which operated in difficult and dangerous conditions to increase the level of security and stability in the Afghan province. There have been tangible results: the security situation and accessibility have improved and socioeconomic development has begun.

Uruzgan has become more stable and living standards have started to rise, but the situation remains fragile. The mission also exacted a human price: 24 Dutch military personnel lost their lives and 150 were injured. The government and the House again expressed their respect for all those who died, including soldiers from coalition partners and Afghan civilians, and their sympathy to family members.

International recognition
The Dutch approach, known as 3D (Defence, Diplomacy and Development), was internationally acclaimed and copied. Based on experiences in Uruzgan, where the focus was on strengthening the Afghan police, the aim now is to improve the link between police training and the rest of the judicial system. In Kunduz, the Netherlands is giving attention to all of the judicial system (police, public prosecutors and courts).

‘During my visit to Afghanistan, I saw the steps we have taken to help this country. Afghanistan needs to be able to assume responsibility for stability and peace itself,’ foreign minister Uri Rosenthal said.

Peace
‘In Uruzgan I saw that we can make a difference through development cooperation,’ international cooperation minister Ben Knapen said. ‘We can help, but progress is ultimately in the hands of the Afghan authorities and the Afghan people. They are the key to peace, security and sustainable development.’