By Jim Garamone, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON -- Army Gen. John M. Nicholson passed command of
NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and U.S. Forces Afghanistan to Army Gen. Austin
S. Miller during a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, today.
Nicholson has been commander in Afghanistan since March 2016
and is the longest-serving NATO commander in the country.
Miller comes to Afghanistan after serving as the commander
of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Both men served in the country previously.
The Long War
Nicholson said Afghanistan has been at war for more than 40
years. From the breakup of the monarchy and occupation by the Soviets to civil
war and the Taliban sheltering of al-Qaida and allowing the terror group to
launch its attacks on the U.S., the country has been at arms. “It’s time for
this war in Afghanistan to end,” Nicholson said.
“[Afghan] President [Ashraf] Ghani’s courageous decision to
announce a ceasefire over Eid al Fitr unleashed the strong call of the Afghan
people for peace,” he said. “The entire world has witnessed this, and we
support it. I believe some ofthe4 Taliban want peace also, but they are being
encouraged to keep fighting. To the Taliban I say, you don’t need to keep
killing your fellow Afghans. You don’t need to keep killing your fellow Muslims.
The time for peace is now.”
Nicholson called on the Taliban to listen to the voice of
their own people and enter serious negotiations with the Afghan government. He
said as long as the Taliban continues to fight, Afghan government forces will
continue to stand up to them. “But make no mistake, until you are willing to
begin talking, we will keep fighting,” he said. “The brave young men and women
of the Afghan security forces will always have our full support.”
He noted that the coalition in Afghanistan continues to
grow. Nations around the world have pledged funds and personnel to help
Afghanistan. “These nations are here on a conditions basis, not a calendar,”
Nicholson said. “They do this because peace in Afghanistan is in everyone’s
best interests.”
Common Cause
After accepting the command flags, Miller said it is an
honor to be standing with representatives of 41 nations that are part of the
coalition. “How often do we come together for a common cause,” he said in his
remarks. “The world recognizes that Afghanistan cannot be a safe haven for
terrorism. The world recognizes that we cannot fail. I know this has been a
long fight and it has been generational. For us, for the Afghan people.
“I know the reason we are fighting and I know why we are
here. And I know terrorist seek safe haven to export murder and attack the
innocent and attack everybody’s way of life,” he said.
Miller said the Afghan people must use courage and
leadership to push forward. The coalition will help, but Afghans must be the
catalyst for peace. “After 17 years of war for this coalition, there have been
many sacrifices,” he said. “Our NATO and coalition members have sacrificed
much. Our Afghan partners and their people sacrifice daily in too great numbers
and I offer my deepest condolences and respect to all of Afghanistan fallen and
wounded.”
The general said that to be successful in the very tough
fight in Afghanistan, all must continue to learn and adapt. “We must be wary of
bias and easy conclusions: They don’t exist here,” Miller said. “I challenge
all of us to always increase your understanding of the complexities, be
adaptive, and as you execute, be relentless.”
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