Press briefing

by the NATO Spokesman, James Appathurai

Informal meeting of NATO Defence Ministers,
Budapest, Hungary

JAMES APPATHURAI (NATO Spokesman): (...) by ministers was counter narcotics.  With regard to counternarcotics, based on the request of the Afghan government, consistent with the appropriate UN Security Council Resolutions, under the existing operational plan, ISAF can act in concert with the Afghans against facilities and facilitators supporting the insurgency, subject to the authorization of respective nations.  That's the statement. Time for a couple of questions and I go.  Please.

Q:  James, the question is:  What does it mean in real life? Does it mean they can act?  Does it mean that NATO and ISAF countries will be free in their decision whether they want to act?  Are there any geographical limits or preferences?  Or is there any description?  What sort of action is planned?  Are we talking about raids?  I mean, are we talking about bombing of laboratories?  Anything like that?

APPATHURAI:  It is what it says with all of the caveats and conditions that I laid out: consistent with the appropriate UN Security Council resolutions, under the existing operational plan, ISAF can, in concert with the Afghans, act against facilities and facilitators supporting the insurgency.  That will be subject to the authorization of specific nations.  That is the agreement as it is.  Paul?  You're not going to hear much variation on this theme.  I just warn you now.

Q:  Okay, I'll try.  Does that mean that ISAF will have to determine whether a particular drugs laboratory is directly financing the insurgency before they can go after it? Or will they just assume that all drugs facilities are in some way or another financing the insurgency?

APPATHURAI:  It's quite clear:  act against facilitators and facilities, sorry facilities and facilitators supporting the insurgency in the context, of course, of counter narcotics. 

I'll take this one and that one and that's it.  Yes, right there.

Q:  Yes, can you confirm James that it will be temporary, that this will be reviewed by defence ministers when they next meet I think in February (INAUDIBLE)?

APPATHURAI:  The idea of a review is, indeed, envisioned for an upcoming meeting.  Okay, that's it.  Thanks guys.  Sorry.