NEWS RELEASE

081127-NR-651-UN Security Council, UNAMA representatives visit RC-West

International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan

Committed to the security, reconstruction and extension of governance in Afghanistan

2008-651

UN Security Council, UNAMA representatives visit RC-West

KABUL, Afghanistan (November 27) — Ambassadors and representatives from the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan visited ISAF's Regional Command-West Nov. 26.

General Paolo Serra, RC-West commander; Avdusamat Khaydarov, UNAMA department head; and Sayed Hussain Anwari, Herat governor, hosted the event.

The delegation flew from Kabul to the UNAMA compound in Herat where they received first-hand reports from local representatives, the UN and non-governmental organizations.

Escorted by ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces, the group then visited Governor Anwari at his palace where local authorities briefed them on the provincial situation and the needs of the people. The Provincial Council outlined three main problems requiring international assistance: security, the illiteracy of the people and poverty.

“The series of meetings today was all about hearing what the prime Afghan needs are and to ensure the international efforts are aligned to meet those needs,” said Adrian Edwards, UNAMA's director of communications.

The last stop of the day was at RC-West headquarters, where General Serra and his officers briefed the group on the three lines of operation: security, reconstruction and governance.

“I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to host such a high-level delegation,” General Serra said. “I have appreciated all the efforts and tactical results achieved today by the soldiers on the ground who are here implementing the important decisions made at political levels by ambassadors around the world.”

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HERAT PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Ambassador Giulio Terzi, permanent Italian Representative to the UN Security Council, is met by General Paulo Serra at Camp Arena for a briefing on theatre operations Nov. 26. (ISAF photo)

Notes for Editors:

1. More information on the International Security Assistance Force can be found here <http://www.nato.int/isaf>

2. The latest broadcast quality video imagery of ISAF operations can be downloaded here <http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=general/general_search.php&table=video&query=isaf&type=>

3. The latest High Resolution stills can be downloaded for news purposes here <http://www.flickr.com/photos/29456680@N06/>

Issued by Headquarters ISAF Public Affairs Office ◦ E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone] ◦ Mobile: [phone]

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