NATO general: Afghan forces making progress

BRUSSELS, May 2 (KUNA) -- Major General Richard Kaiser, Commander of Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan, said Tuesday Afghan forces have made significant positive steps forward despite the two recent attacks on Afghan security forces in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.
"Despite those setbacks the security forces have made great steps forward," he told a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
He represented the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan at the meeting of the Afghan National Army Trust Fund Board.
Kaisar plays a key role within the framework of NATO Allies and Partners' support to the international effort for the financial sustainment of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.
He manages the US Afghan security fund which injects about USD five billion into the economy of Afghanistan.
Kaiser said the Afghan president has put together a four-year plan to help the security forces to "become the best that they could in four years." The current funding is for 195,000 Afghan soldiers, 157,000 national police and in addition 30,000 local police, he added. (end) nk.bs