March 12, 2002. Copyright 2002. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

War on terror progress report 

LONDON, March 12, Graphic News: The six-month anniversary of the September 11 attacks has been marked with the publication of dossiers in the U.S. and Britain listing progress in the global Òwar against terrorism.Ó

Some 80 nations experienced human loss as a consequence of the terrorist attacks on the United States, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said to Pentagon reporters. Currently, 68 nations are partnered in the U.S.-led campaign.

ÒThe war on terrorism is truly a global struggle and it affects all nations,Ó Rumsfeld remarked. Australian, British, Canadian, Czech, Danish, German, Russian -- more than 17,000 troops from 17 nations -- are currently deployed in the Middle East and Central Asia. 

U.S. defense officials say nations supporting the war on terrorism have assembled to fight militarily, diplomatically, economically and financially. Some have helped openly; others prefer not to disclose their contributions.

In Afghanistan alone, about 6,000 coalition troops are taking part in Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the Afghan capital of Kabul. They make up more than half of the 11,300 non-Afghan forces in Afghanistan. Coalition forces provide personnel, intelligence, equipment and other air, ground and sea assets. Partner nations have also provided liaison teams, participated in planning, provided bases and granted over-flight permission.

Canada contributed the first coalition task group to arrive in the region. At present 2,259 Canadian service members are attached to the U.S. Central CommandÕs (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in Central Asia. Naval forces are taking part in maritime interdiction operations, escort duties and maritime surveillance.

France is providing its only carrier battle group to support combat operations in the North Arabian Sea. French battle group aircraft have flown more than 1,500 hours as part of Operation Enduring Freedom to date. France has also contributed about 24 percent of its naval forces to the operation.

Germany has deployed about 2,250 personnel to CENTCOM, provided special forces support and frozen more than 200 bank accounts as part of their contribution. The German navy has had three frigates, a fast patrol boat group and three supply ships operating out of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden since January. 

Great Britain -- the first nation to send personnel to CENTCOM -- continues to lead ISAF with more than 1,800 troops deployed in Afghanistan. The British deployed its largest naval task force since the Falklands War, and provided the only coalition Tomahawk Land Attack Missile platforms to launch missiles at the start of hostilities. 

Italy provided a carrier battle group to support combat operations in the North Arabian Sea, and Japan dispatched three destroyers and two supply ships with about 1,200 personnel to the Indian Ocean where they are providing at-sea refuelling to U.S. and British naval vessels. The government of Japan is providing the fuel at its own expense. 

Jordan deployed mine-clearing equipment and personnel to Kandahar, while a Jordanian hospital in Mazar-e Sharif has helped nearly 20,000 patients.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force has sent aircraft to Turkey to conduct strategic airlifts for ISAF and to support humanitarian assistance missions. 

Other countries including New Zealand, Greece, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Romania, and Bulgaria have contributed to the military efforts against terrorism.

Norway deployed mine-clearing vehicles and personnel that to date have been responsible for clearing more than 180,000 square metres (215,000 square yards) of terrain at Kandahar airfield. The Republic of Korea has deployed a naval vessel to transport more than 500 tons of critical construction material from Singapore to Diego Garcia, and the south Koreans have pledged more than $45 million to aid in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Russia provided the first coalition hospital in Kabul last November with medical specialists treating more than 5,200 patients before turning the facility over to the local population at the end of January. 

Turkey quickly became the only Muslim nation with troops on the ground, and the United Arab Emirates have since provided basing and over-flight permission for U.S. and coalition forces.
/ENDS

Sources: Department of Defense, Coalition Information Centre