The top NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal hailed Turkey’s role in Afghanistan during a meeting with visiting Turkish reporters. Praising Brigadier General Levent Çolak, the top Turkish commander in Afghanistan and current commander of the ISAF force that is guarding Kabul, he added: “Turkish forces are exactly where I think they should be. I think American forces and all forces in the coalition have learned a lot by watching them, emulating the way they operate in this environment,” said Gen. McChrystal.
A group of 40 Turkish reporters were visiting Afghanistan on a trip organized by the Turkish General Staff. Speaking to reporters, Brig.Gen Colak dubbed Afghanistan a “witch’s cauldron” of potential threats – including suicide attacks, kidnapping, drug trafficking and ambushes. Prior to becoming commander of ISAF in Kabul, Colak has twice been stationed in Afghanistan as part of ISAF and has previously served on the Turkish force under the NATO peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In contrast to patrols by other coalition members, Turkish soldiers do not hesitate to mingle with the locals. “We are not afraid of close contact; we have no fear, while big states increase the number of security guards accompanying them,” says Colak. A guiding principle to Turkey’s presence in Afghanistan is what Colak described as “Increasing the number of smiling faces in Afghanistan.”
The Turkish strategy includes distributing humanitarian aid, building medical facilities and schools and providing free medical services. Turkey also contributes to national capacity building in Afghanistan by providing to Afghan military and police officers, as well as key Afghan civil service personnel both in Afghanistan and in Turkey.
The Governor of Kabul, Zebiullah Müceddidi, told Turkish reporters that “Afghans respect and trust the Turkish Army. It would not be an exaggeration if I say they don't see the Turks as foreigners.” Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, the deputy commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, echoed the Governor’s comments stating “The Turkish military is making a huge difference by putting people at the center. NATO forces are learning from Turkish soldiers every day.”
One Turkish reporter summarized her observations from the visit stating that the Turkish military has instilled trust and respect among the Afghan population, making the Turkish flag a “badge of honor” in Afghanistan.
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Turkish flag 'badge of honor' in Afghanistan, Hurriyet Daily News
This bulletin has been prepared based on the reporting by Ms. Fulya Ozerkan from Afghanistan for the Hurriyet Daily News
