http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6997636.ece
The Times (London) January 21, 2010 British Ambassador in Kabul Mark Sedwill tipped for Nato civilian role Tom Coghlan The British Ambassador in Kabul, Mark Sedwill, is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks as the Nato Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, in a move designed to improve the international reconstruction effort in the country. Although reorganisation of Nato’s military structure under General Stanley McChrystal over the past year is seen as having produced an efficient command structure, multiple civilian agencies continue to pursue often contradictory development agendas, according to Western officials. “General McChrystal has been wanting this new appointment for a long time,” one Western diplomat said. “Currently you have a UN special representative, a US ambassador, a European Commission Representative, a variety of Afghan-Pakistan envoys, various other embassies, the aid agencies. To be honest you need someone just to co-ordinate the US State Department and Department of Defence.” Although the role is not new it is expected that Mr Sedwill will be have greater influence than his predecessors. He is well regarded by his American counterparts and has a close relationship with General McChrystal, the commander of Nato forces. The Times understands that Karl Eikenberry, the US Ambassador, wanted the position but it was decided that it would put the US in too dominant a position across the international effort. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office declined to confirm or deny the appointment. =========================== Stop NATO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato To subscribe, send an e-mail to: stopnato-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/messages http://lists.topica.com/lists/ANTINATO/read ==============================
