Oct 03, 2007

On the invitation of the Estonian Minister of Defence, Mr. Jürgen Ligi, Hekmat Karzai, Director of CAPS, participated in the Second Annual Baltic Conference on Defence, NATO in Afghanistan – Facing the shortfalls, measuring the success, in Tartu, Estonia, from 18th to 19th September 2007.

The conference brought together participants from NATO, European Union, Academics, NGO representatives and Afghan Government officials. Some of the key personalities included Gen. Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Dr. Julian Lindley-French, Professor of Military operational science, Netherlands Defence Academy, Mr. Rory Stewart, Chief Executive of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, Afghanistan, Ambassador David Slinn, Head of the British PRT in Lashkar Gah, Helmand and Mr. Abdul Malik Quraishi, Director of Policy of the National Security Council, Afghanistan.

Mr. Karzai’s give an address to the conference on the following topic: ‘Afghanistan’s current situation and future: A view from Afghanistan’. In his remarks, Mr. Karzai focused on several important themes including the perceptions of ISAF throughout the country, preconditions for success in the South and recommendation for improving relations with the locals.

Mr. Karzai was also invited to address a large group of students at the prestigious Tartu University where he focused his remarks on the significance of winning the conflict in Afghanistan and its impact on NATO.