Remarks At Press Conference at NATO Headquarters
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Brussels, Belgium
December 4, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Today we had the chance to discuss the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan with all of our NATO
allies and ISAF partners. The violent extremism that threatens the people and governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan
and undermines the stability of the region also threatens us, the security of our friends, our allies, and our interests
around the world. All of us whose shared future is at stake must therefore take responsibility for securing it.
On Tuesday, as you know, President Obama announced that the United States is sending an additional 30,000 troops to
Afghanistan, significantly increasing our civilian aid to the Afghan people and broadening our partnership with
Pakistan. All of NATO and ISAF are standing with us in strong support of the President’s strategy. I want to thank those
nations that have pledged additional troops, trainers, and civilian assistance in recent days and weeks. I welcome the
Secretary General’s report today that at least 25 countries have announced that they will send more forces to the
mission in 2010. They have offered around 7,000 new forces, and we’re still counting. Secretary General Rasmussen and
the leadership and people of all of these countries deserve our gratitude.
This is a crucial test for NATO, which has been the greatest and most successful military alliance in history. The
American people will always remember that after 9/11 NATO invoked Article 5 of its charter for the first time, affirming
that the terrorist attacks planned in Afghanistan and perpetrated in the United States were attacks on every NATO
member. We are keenly aware that the members of this alliance have paid a steep price in lives and treasure, and we
honor the service and sacrifice of the brave troops who have fought alongside our own soldiers. And it is crucial that
we remain firm in our resolve and see this mission through. We will work together to deny al-Qaida a safe haven, reverse
the Taliban’s momentum and deny it the ability to overthrow the Afghan Government, and strengthen the capacity of the
Afghans to take responsibility for their own security.
President Obama has outlined a timeframe for that transition to Afghan responsibility. As he said in his speech on
Tuesday, the additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to
Afghan forces, beginning in July 2011. This transition will enable us to begin a reduction of U.S. and international
forces that will continue over time. Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking
into account conditions on the ground.
Accomplishing our objectives will require us to combine the work of our military with an equally critical long-term
civilian assistance program. We believe that integrating our military and civilian efforts is essential to our success.
We have a sound strategy. We will deliver high-impact economic assistance and bolster Afghanistan’s agricultural sector,
which is the traditional core of the Afghan economy. This will create jobs, reduce the funding the Taliban receives from
poppy cultivation, and help draw insurgents off the battlefield. We will also help to strengthen institutions at every
level of Afghan society so that there will be stability and security as our military forces begin to depart.
And I want to stress that, speaking for the United States, our civilian commitment will continue long after our combat
forces leave. It should be clear to everyone that we will not repeat the mistakes of the past. The United States and our
allies and partners have an enduring commitment to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the region.
Ultimately, we recognize that only the Afghan people can decide what kind of nation they want to build for themselves
and their children. Only the Pakistani people can ensure their country’s democratic future. That is why we are working
as partners in both countries: supporting Afghans as they build institutions, solidify the rule of law, and enhance
their capacity to provide their own security; and supporting the Pakistanis as they defend their democracy, develop
their economy, and respond to the kind of horrific attacks we saw on a mosque today.
Now, we’ve also discussed a number of other shared challenges during this NATO ministerial. On missile defense, our
allies strongly expressed their support for the new American approach, and NATO officially noted the important role
missile defense plays in the protection of our population, territory, and forces.
I also had the opportunity to discuss Iran, the upcoming climate change summit in Copenhagen, expanded partnerships with
aspirating NATO members. I had a productive meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov focusing on continuing progress toward
a post-START agreement.
This is a historic time in Europe with the 60th anniversary of NATO, the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the naming
of the first permanent president of the European Council. And today, I am more confident than ever that the
Transatlantic Alliance which has anchored our peace and prosperity for so long will provide a strong foundation for our
shared future.
Thank you, and I’d be glad to take your questions.
MODERATOR: We have time for two questions.
CNN.
QUESTION: Thank you, Madame Secretary. I’m wondering if you could qualify that 7,000 troop number that you just
mentioned – it seems open to interpretation – includes some troops that have already been in country since the election.
Some are training forces, some will be leaving. So how robust of a pledge is this, given the need? And what else do you
need that hasn’t been pledged? And what are your thoughts on the need for strengthening the international civilian
effort and discussion about some kind of larger coordinating role? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first of all, the report from the Secretary General of the 7,000-plus troops are the troops
that will be there in 2010 that would not have been there in 2010. These are not only new pledges of troops, but these
are troops that were put in only for the election that we had expected to be leaving that will now, pursuant to our new
strategy, stay and be part of implementing that new strategy. They are a mix of combat troops and trainers.
But one point I would make is that there is a very clear glide path between trainers and combat troops, because it has
been our experience – and certainly, General McChrystal intends to apply this in Afghanistan – that training is not only
about the beginning of military preparation, helping recruits learn the basics about their weapons, about formations and
the like, but it also includes partnering with those troops, mentoring those troops, and going into combat with those
troops. So there are some that are strictly just combat and just trainers, but there are others who will fall along the
continuum as to the various functions that will need to be performed. So this is a significant commitment by our NATO
ISAF partners on behalf of the new strategy that will be executed by General McChrystal going forward.
With respect to the civilian side, we know we’ve got to do a better job coordinating our international aid. There’s a
great desire on the part of not only governments, but NGOs, to support the development of Afghanistan. And we’ve had a
number of conversations with our Afghan partners about how best to utilize that assistance. And with our upcoming
conference at the end of January, we hope by then to have worked out the mechanism for providing that coordination.
I am just extremely heartened by the level of positive response we’ve received. Certainly the commitments of troops and
additional civilian assistance are a tangible representation of that. But I was also very touched by many of the
comments that were made both publicly and privately by ministers from literally throughout the world, since it was not
only NATO ministers who were here, about their commitment to the President’s strategy going forward and their
willingness to continue to make the sacrifices that this strategy calls on all of us to have to do.
QUESTION: I’m Paul (inaudible) TV, the Netherlands. Madame Secretary, and contrary to all the pledges you’ve heard
today, you know that the Dutch Government has decided to leave Afghanistan by next year, mid next year. How do you feel
about it? Do you think that they should stay? Are you trying to convince them to stay longer? And if so, how successful
are you so far?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I said when I was in The Hague at the conference, which the Dutch Government sponsored back in
the spring, where we began to focus on the way forward in Afghanistan, we took a look at what we inherited. We didn’t
like what we saw. And we began to retool what we thought was the best approach. And I have to say that much of what we
have come up with is modeled on what the Dutch have done. The Dutch forces in Afghanistan came up with the model of the
three Ds: defense, diplomacy, and development. They were ahead of, certainly – I’ll speak for the United States – they
were ahead of us. The results they got demonstrated the effectiveness of their approach. So, of course, we would like to
see the Dutch continue, but that’s clearly a decision for the government and the people of the Netherlands.
But I want to express very strongly my appreciation for what they have done, and the fact that they will continue to be
with us for the next year just about. And they will continue to make a significant contribution, for which we’re
grateful.
I think maybe take one or two more. If you’ll identify yourself, please.
QUESTION: Ricardo Martinez de Rituerto with El Pais from Spain. Madame Secretary, we all know very well what the United
States is going to do in talking about the soldiers, 30,000, maybe 33,000. What is exactly what is expected from the
rest of the international community? We have been talking about 7, but we are expecting 10, 12 thousand?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think that what we see today with the commitments that have already been made is very
encouraging. This is a difficult task we are undertaking together. We need both more numbers than we have just with our
own troops, and we need more specific functions than are already present. And I think we’ve gone a very long way towards
meeting those needs today.
And I appreciate very much the representation by the Spanish foreign minister in our meeting that Spain will be coming
forth with a pledge after further consultation within your government, and we welcome that. Spain has been a very good
partner on both the military and the civilian side, and we want to continue working with both Spanish military and
civilian forces as we implement that strategy.
QUESTION: Katie (inaudible) with Georgian Public Broadcasting. Madame Secretary, how can you evaluate Georgia’s
contribution in ISAF mission? And in – on your meetings today in NATO-Russia Council and Mr. Lavrov, did you raise the
issue of Georgia’s territorial integrity? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: I think it is accurate – I’m not sure, but I think it is accurate to say that Georgia may be the
largest per capita contributor to the NATO ISAF mission. Georgia announced today that they were going forward with the
troops that are being trained and that they want to continue to be a very helpful partner in Afghanistan. And I just
want to thank the government and people of Georgia for an extraordinary effort.
I did raise Georgia at the NATO-Russia Council. I made it very clear that the United States supported Georgia, that we
would never recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia, that we wish to see Russia work with the international community to
bring about a peaceful resolution of the situation, that we applauded the creation of a monitoring system that would try
to prevent actions from escalating. But we very much stand with the people of Georgia, and we’re very grateful for
Georgia’s contributions to this important mission in Afghanistan.
QUESTION: Guldenay Sonumut from NTV Turkey. The United States of America have asked Turkey to contribute with some
troops also in Afghanistan, but – and particularly combat troops, but apparently, Turkey refuses this. How do you
evaluate this, bearing in mind that Prime Minister Erdogan will fly to Washington and discuss many, many other issues
and, in particular, this? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, we are very much looking forward to Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit on Monday. I am very
grateful to Turkey. I have worked now with two foreign ministers since becoming Secretary of State, and I am very
grateful for the cooperation and their partnership on many important matters.
With respect to Afghanistan, Turkey has been with us from the beginning. Turkey has performed a very important function.
They are about, once again, to take over command for the Kabul area. We value highly the Turkish contribution, the
professionalization of the Turkish military. And of course, we are always hopeful of getting even more assistance from
Turkey because it is so important. But we also are grateful for what we have received. And we look forward to working
with Turkey in a leadership position on a number of important issues that will be discussed when Prime Minister Erdogan
visits President Obama on Monday.
Thank you all very much.
ENDS