This was the 17th meeting of the commission, which was attended by NATO and the International Security and Assistanc Force (ISAF) for the first time as full members. The commission had decided in its April meeting to grant them full membership from the observers' status.

Director General of Military Operations of the Pakistan Army Major General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, Director of Operations of the Afghan National Army Lieutenant General Sher M Karimi, Commander, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan Lieutenant General Karl W Eikenberry and Commander of NATO-ISAF Lieutenant General David Richards attended the meeting of the commission, which coordinates operational details of the anti-terror operation.

NATO-ISAF reviewed plans to extend the reach of the Afghan Government through their greater presence in southern Afghanistan.

NATO-ISAF forces assume control of international military forces operating in southern Afghanistan this summer.

All sides agreed that NATO-ISAF’s expanded role in the Tripartite Commission is very important to ensure effective coordination in this region.

The meeting reviewed the latest procedures and training and Military Intelligence sharing to track down terrorists.

The Tripartite Commission will meet again in August 2006 in Afghanistan.

UNI XC PR HT2002