Security Council

4651^st Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL, EXTENDING AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE FORCE BY ONE YEAR, SAYS

SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN STILL THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Resolution 1444 (2002), Adopted Unanimously, Also Calls

On Member States to Contribute Personnel, Equipment, Other Resources

Determining that the situation in Afghanistan still constituted a threat to international peace and security, the Security Council this morning decided to extend the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force in that country for a period of one year beyond 20 December 2002.

By the unanimous adoption of resolution 1444 (2002), the Council authorized the Assistance Force to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate.  It also called upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the Force, and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established through resolution 1386 (2001), which defined the Force’s authorization.

The Council meeting began at 11:45 a.m. and ended at 11:50 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of today's resolution reads, as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular its resolutions 1386 (2001) of 20 December 2001 and 1413 (2002) of 23 May 2002,

"Reaffirming also its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

"Supporting international efforts to root out terrorism, in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming also its resolutions 1368 (2001) of 12 September 2001 and 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001,

"Recognizing that the responsibility for providing security and law and order throughout the country resides with the Afghans themselves, welcoming in this respect the efforts of the Afghan Transitional Authority to establish fully representative, professional and multi-ethnic army and police forces, and welcoming also the cooperation of the Afghan Transitional Authority with the International Security Assistance Force,

"Expressing its appreciation to Turkey for taking over the lead from the United Kingdom in organizing and commanding the International Security Assistance Force from 20 June 2002, and recognizing with gratitude the contributions of many nations to the International Security Assistance Force,

"Welcoming the joint letter from the Foreign Minister of Germany and the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands to the Secretary-General of 21 November 2002 (S/2002/1296, annex) expressing the willingness of Germany and the Netherlands to jointly assume from Turkey the lead in commanding the International Security Assistance Force, and anticipating offers in due course to succeed Germany and the Netherlands in leading that command,

"Recalling the letter dated 19 December 2001 from Dr. Abdullah Abdullah to the President of the Security Council (S/2001/1223),

"Determining that the situation in Afghanistan still constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

"Determined to ensure the full implementation of the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force, in consultation with the Afghan Transitional Authority and its successors established by the Bonn Agreement,

"Acting for these reasons under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

"1.      Decides to extend the authorization, for a period of one year beyond 20 December 2002, of the International Security Assistance Force, as defined in resolution 1386 (2001);

"2.      Authorizes the Member States participating in the International Security Assistance Force to take all necessary measures to fulfil the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force;

"3.      Calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the International Security Assistance Force, and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established pursuant to resolution 1386 (2001);

"4.      Requests the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force to provide quarterly reports on implementation of its mandate, through the Secretary-General;

"5.      Decides to remain seized of the matter."

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