Press Release (2005)098 16 August 2005

Statement by Secretary General on Spanish helicopter crash near Herat, Afghanistan Background NATO in Afghanistan With great regret and sorrow, I offer my deepest condolences to the Spanish people and Government on behalf of the Alliance as we mourn the loss of Spanish military personnel who died today in a tragic helicopter crash near the city of Herat in Afghanistan. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the families of those who have lost loved ones who were working to help Afghanistan carry out democratic parliamentary elections next month. The Spanish Government has been strongly committed to peace and democracy in Afghanistan and is a consistent supporter of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, working under a UN mandate to help bring stability to this war-ravaged country.

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