There has been a change of command in Mazar-i-Sharif. Brigadier General Dieter Dammjacob has taken over from Dieter Warnecke as the head of the German ISAF mission contingent and the Regional Commander North and.

Warnecke took up the position in August during a particularly difficult phase. Six months later, he admits there is still a long way to go.

"There are still many destabilising factors here in Afghanistan -- too many weapons stockpiles, drugs, organised crime; and too much corruption in government, the administration and security forces."

Offensives in quieter north

Over the last months, ISAF has launched operations against insurgents and criminals in the supposedly quieter north.

General Warnecke expressed himself indirectly: "I believe that it’s become clear over the last months that we’ve been searching for these hidden weapons stockpiles intensively. We've found many and we're currently trying to remove this threat to Afghanistan."

Warnecke added that this was why development, government work, security, and reconstruction were perceptibly better here than in other parts of the country.

He said there had been significant economic growth: "All this has been possible only thanks to the Regional Command North which has been able to establish a relatively stable security situation, despite some isolated incidents with insurgents."

Reconstructing security forces

Dieter Warnecke emphasised that reconstruction particularly meant the reconstruction of Afghanistan’s security forces.

He explained that the aim was that the population should begin to consider the police as a reliable partner that guarantees security in the districts. But he said the aim had not been achieved as yet.

"That’s why ISAF’s Regional Command North will support the Afghan army and the emerging police force again this year, so that Afghanistan can sustain its security situation on its own in the long run," said Dieter Warnecke.

The new ISAF Regional Commander Dieter Dammjacob shares his view. In the coming months, his main task will be to assist the Afghan security forces. "First and foremost, it is now important to strengthen Afghanistan’s armed forces. As you may know, a brigade is to be set up, and police training will also be boosted."

His predecessor echoed this message by emphasising that only a good security situation would bring improved living standards for the Afghan people.

"You have to keep this in mind," he said. "No reconstruction can take place without security, and every Afghan should understand this."