Chirac: France Ready to Train 2 Battalions for Future Afghan Army

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, June 05, 2002

Chirac: France Ready to Train 2 Battalions for Future Afghan Army

French President Jacques Chirac has officially confirmed that France will train two infantry battalions for the future Afghan army, the French presidency announced Tuesday.

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French President Jacques Chirac has officially confirmed that France will train two infantry battalions for the future Afghan army, the French presidency announced Tuesday.

In a letter addressed to Hamid Karzai, head of Afghanistan's interim government, Chirac said, "France has decided to respond positively to the demand of the Afghan authorities to train in Kabul two light infantry battalions of the future Afghan army."

The letter was delivered to Karzai by French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie who visited Kabul on Monday and made public by the French presidency.

Chirac also promised that France will participate in the training of Afghan police in the field of fight against drug-trafficking.

"Other actions are going on in the fields of education, health and protection of cultural patrimony," said Chirac, adding that the engagement of France in Afghanistan will be long-term.

On United Nations Security Council's decision to extend the mandate of International Security and Assistance Force by six months in Kabul, Chirac said: "France, who participates the mission actively, is studying the possibility of maintaining its presence in this force."

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