KABUL - General Hilmi Akýn Zorlu, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan said on Monday that there are elements that want to disturb the peaceful situation in Kabul and that ISAF closely monitors them.
Speaking in his monthly news conference held at ISAF headquarters, Gen. Zorlu said that ISAF teams destroyed more than 108,000 pieces of munitions including anti-tanks, rockets, mines and anti-aircraft guns to date.
Zorlu said that a possible operation against Iraq can put foreigners in Afghanistan into a difficult position.
Recalling that he went to Europe last December and visited NATO headquarters in Brussels and Mons, and met with EU officials, Zorlu gave information about his contacts with NATO Secretary General George Robertson and EU high commissioner Javier Solana. Zorlu said that he gave information about issues such as the security in and around Kabul, activities of ISAF, and the continuation of international support to Afghanistan in his contacts. Noting that these meetings were very positive, Zorlu said that he got guarantee about providing long term security and stability atmosphere in Afghanistan and reconstructing of Afghanistan.
Referring to the general security atmosphere in Kabul, ISAF Commander said that the incidents which took place in Kabul in the last one month are separate incidents in the ensured peaceful atmosphere. ''We are aware of certain separatist elements which aim to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in Kabul. We seriously monitor these threats for continuation of the peaceful atmosphere in Kabul. We launch all kinds of efforts to protect security of Kabul people in a peaceful atmosphere...The threat of mines still continues in Afghanistan. There is a real threat against us. Mines don't pay attention to age, race, religion or time. ISAF will continue to point and clean mine fields together with mine-cleaning institutions,'' he said.
Zorlu warned Afghan people and said that mines are dangerous and that people should observe the signs which show mines.
While informing about the projects which are implemented by ISAF, Zorlu said that a total of 167 projects were completed to develop health, education and infrastructure until now and 41 projects are continuing and 79 are being prepared.
Noting that ISAF, under the command of Turkey, completed second six-month term on December 20, 2002, Zorlu said that Germany and Netherlands confirmed their intent to undertake third term command of ISAF and he added that a delegation under the command of General Norbert Van Heyst will form new headquarters structure of Germany-Netherlands army corps in ISAF.
Zorlu said that turn over ceremony can be held on February 8, 2003 and added that they will do their best for an unproblematic turn over.
Zorlu who responded the questions of reporters after press conference said upon a question that a possible operation against Iraq can cause difficulties for the foreigners in Afghanistan.
Recalling that Afghan people are Muslims, Zorlu said that an event that happens in another Muslim country can easily influence Afghans and they can be provocated easily. Zorlu added that an operation against Iraq can encourage and ease especially terrorist groups to start acts of violence against foreigners in Afghanistan and Kabul. He said that they take necessary security measures to prevent this but it can be difficult to take measures in mass actions.