Jul 02, 2011

20th June 2011

Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) was honored to host H.E. Ambassador Simon Gass, NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, on 20th June, 2011. Simon Gass was appointed as the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan in February of 2011.

Prior to this he served as British Ambassador to Iran from 2009 until 2011. Before his posting to Tehran, he held a succession of diplomatic posts both in London and overseas, including British Ambassador to Greece, Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, Finance Director and Board Member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He has also been posted in Rome, Lagos and New York.

Hekmat Karzai, Director of CAPS, introduced CAPS team to Mr. Gass while Halimullah Kousary, the deputy head of research, briefed Mr. Gass on CAPS’ activities and projects in fields such as legal advocacy, research & analysis and capacity building.

During the discussion Mr. Gass signified CAPS’ importance to promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan. He showed interest in CAPS’ training program on the current relevant operating picture of Afghanistan and historical, cultural as well as religious aspects of the Afghan society. Over the lunch discussion, Mr. Gass also posed various questions related to the Afghan reconciliation process and regional cooperation which Mr. Karzai and other staff entrained by providing Afghan perspectives.

Mr. Gass, thanked Mr. Karzai and CAPS team for the hospitality and promised to pay another visit to CAPS to further discuss issues relevant and important to Afghanistan and the region.