German Army and ISAF Spokesperson, Gen. Carsten Jacobson, addresses U.S. and Afghan Media at a weekly press conference. HQ ISAF in Kabul, Afghanistan July 25, 2011.

ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office
For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 25, 2011)-- “Much has changed since Taliban rule went away, and the legitimate government of Afghanistan has grown over the last 10 years, bringing prosperity and an improved quality of life to Afghanistan,” said Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson, International Security Assistance Force Spokesperson, at a press briefing today at ISAF headquarters.

Both the military and civilian representatives of NATO reassured the people of Afghanistan of their commitment to never again allow Afghanistan to fall under the rule of the insurgents and of their long-term partnership to continue to grow the socio-economic base of the country.

“Now and in the future, NATO will have a strong partnership with Afghanistan,” said Dominic Medley, NATO Senior Civilian Representative spokesperson. “NATO will not put at risk the tremendous investment that has been made here already.”

To further his point, Jacobson contrasted some key indicators between life under Taliban rule to that of the government of Afghanistan, namely in education, women’s role in government, road development, and access to television and radio:

• Under Taliban rule, only 1.2 million students were enrolled in schools, with less than 50,000 of them girls. Today, under the government of Afghanistan, there are 8.2 million students, of which nearly 40 percent – or 3.2 million – are girls.
• Under Taliban rule, there were no women in government. Today, 68 seats are allocated for women in the lower house of Parliament.
• Under Taliban rule, there were only about 30 miles of paved roads in the country. Today, there are nearly 3,000 miles of paved roads, including the nearly complete “Ring Road.”
• Under Taliban rule, there were hardly any television or radio stations to provide news and entertainment. Today, 75 television channels and 175 radio stations broadcast throughout the country.