Gen. Petraeus Assumes Command of ISAF (Updated)
Gen. Petraeus Assumes Command of ISAF – SFC Matthew Chlosta , ISAF Public Affairs Office
U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus emphasized the continuity of the counterinsurgency strategy as he assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force in front of the ISAF headquarters building, here.
Framed by towering pine trees, Petraeus was introduced by Germany Army Gen. Egon Ramms, the commander of NATO Allied Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum, in the Netherlands.
“As President Obama and NATO Secretary General Rasmussen have noted, my assumption of command represents a change in personnel, not a change in policy or strategy,” Petraeus said. “To be sure, I will, as any new commander should, together with ISAF, Afghan, and diplomatic partners, examine our civil-military effort to determine where refinements might be needed.”
“I feel privileged to be joining this critical effort at such a pivotal time,” Petraeus said. “We are engaged in a tough fight. After years of war, we have arrived at a critical moment. We must demonstrate to the Afghan people, and to the world, that Al Qaeda and its network of extremist allies will not be allowed to once again establish sanctuaries in Afghanistan from which they can launch attacks on the Afghan people and on freedom-loving nations around the world. And with the surge in ISAF forces and the growth of our Afghan partners, we have a new opportunity to do just that…
More:
Remarks by Gen. David H. Petraeus Upon Assumption of Command – Transcript
Petraeus Assumes Command of ISAF – Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 – Footage
Petraeus Calls for United Effort to Win Afghan War – Voice of America
In Kabul, Petraeus Stresses ‘Unity of Effort’ – Washington Post
Petraeus Seeks Unity in Afghan Effort – New York Times
Petraeus, Eikenberry Stress Unity – Los Angeles Times
Petraeus: ‘We Are in This to Win’ in Afghanistan – Associated Press
Afghan War At Critical Stage, Says Petraeus – Reuters
Afghan War’s No. 2 Readies His New Boss – Stars and Stripes
Update:
Petraeus Takes Command of Afghan Mission – New York Times
Petraeus Takes Command in Afghanistan, Pledging Victory – Washington Post
Petraeus Takes Command of the Afghanistan War – Christian Science Monitor
Petraeus on Afghanistan: ‘We are in this to Win’ – Voice of America
Winning is NATO’s Mission, Petraeus Says – American Forces Press Service
Petraeus Takes Over Afghan Fight, Vows ‘to Win’ It – Associated Press
Gen Petraeus Formally Takes Over Afghanistan Campaign – BBC News
Petraeus Advisor Predicts Changes in Afghan Strategy – Los Angeles Times
Afghans See Change in Command as a Threat to Safety – Los Angeles Times
