January 31, Brig. Gen. Marcello Bellacicco, International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF) Regional Command-West (RC-W) commander and civilian personnel of RC-W visited Ghor province of Afghanistan where security is ensured by peacekeepers of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT.
During the visit RC-W leadership (Lithuanian-led PRT is supervised by RC-W) met with the leading officials of civilian and military elements of the PRT, the new Governor of Ghor Dr. Aqahi Abdullah Heiwad, commanders of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in Ghor and troops of Afghan National Army (ANA) newly deployed in the province.
In a meeting a the PRT base in Chaghcharan Commander of the PRT's military component Col Remigijus Baltrėnas provided for the visiting officers a review of security situation in Ghor, presented tasks implemented by PRT personnel, especially in the field of assisting ANSF, and development cooperation plans undertaken by civilian component of the PRT. Col emphasized multinational team of the Lithuanian-led PRT and CIMIC principles in decision-making, as well as the importance of cooperation with ANSF and representatives of local administration for successful provincial reconstruction.
In the meeting of RC-W Commander with the Governor of Ghor and commanders of ANSF in Ghor cooperation among Afghan National Police, National Directorate of Security and PRT forces was addressed.
Provincial Governor emphasized that thanks to close cooperation between PRT and ANSF stability of security situation in Ghor was reached during the latter months. However, according to the Governor, it was still early to talk about complete removal of threats to security as Ghor has borders with the insecure Helmand province, and insurgents find havens for resting, regrouping and transit in the southern part of the province.
Brig Gen M. Bellacicco concluded his stay in Ghor by conducting a joint visit with PRT's military personnel at the base of an ANA company newly deployed in Chaghcharan.
The Lithuanian-led Province Reconstruction Team in Ghor is a joint civilian-military mission, a part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, which was launched in Ghor in summer of 2005. The main task of the mission is to provide assistance for the Government of Afghanistan to expand authority in the province, ensure security and provide favourable conditions for the reconstruction of province. Prerequisite for the multinational forces deployed in Afghanistan to end the mission will be provided as soon as the country's National Security Forces are able to ensure security of the country and its population independently. In the present period major attention is paid to the projects of training and preparation of Afghanistan National Security Forces.
Currently the 12th rotation of the Lithuanian-led PRT serves in Ghor province, the shift is based on the personnel of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
Together with Lithuanian military and civilian personnel the following countries contribute representatives to the Lithuanian-led PRT: Denmark, Georgia, Japan, US, and Ukraine. The EU Police Mission EUPOL (EUPOL) Team developing its activity in Afghanistan includes representatives of Poland ands Finland.
Pictures and article by: PIO for PRT-12 Capt Ainaras Jonaitis.
Pictures: meeting of RC-W delegation with members of civilian and military components of the Lithuanian-led PRT and representatives of Ghor administration and security forces, and visit to the ANA headquarters in Chaghcharan.
