Statement by Mr David Windsor, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative, Australian Mission to the United Nations Security Council regarding the situation in Afghanistan, as delivered on 18 March 2010.
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Australia supports UN Security Council renewal of the UNAMA mandate and welcomes the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to international efforts on Afghanistan.
We believe the resolution before the Council should build on the substantial outcomes of the International Conference on Afghanistan in London on 28 January, and reinforce the central role the UN has to play in supporting the security, stability and development of Afghanistan.
Importantly, Australia believes the resolution should endorse further the concept of constructive partnership between the Afghan Government and the international community, and the shared plan of phased transition to Afghan leadership and ownership of security, governance and development for the Afghan people – the key outcome of London.
A renewed UNAMA mandate should also address the call for a better coordinated and civilian effort in Afghanistan to improve the impact of international civilian assistance, and the need for a more rigorous alignment of international assistance with clearly identified Afghan priorities. UNAMA has a primary coordinating role in these activities – but it also needs to be ably supported by other actors, including the NATO Senior Civilian Representative, the EU mission, UN member states more broadly and the Afghan Government.
Like others, Australia does not underestimate the significant and inter-related security, political and economic challenges facing the Afghan people and their international partners. There is a real need for much greater focus on the accountability of the Afghan Government. President Karzai has made commitments to improve governance, pursue electoral reform, take effective anti-corruption and anti-narcotics measures, and create social and economic opportunities for all Afghans. Australia will work in cooperation with UNAMA and our other partners to assist the President and his Government deliver on these commitments.
Australia notes the decision by the Afghan Independent Election Commission to postpone parliamentary elections until 18 September 2010. This will be a crucial test of progress by the Afghan Government to improve electoral and political processes. In this regard, Australia strongly encourages the Afghan Government to appoint independent and reputable electoral commissioners, so that the process can be one acceptable to all Afghans, including opposition parties. UNAMA will have an important role in supporting preparations for and the conduct of these elections, and we expect the Afghan Government will work closely with the UN to not only learn from the lessons of 2009 but also lay the ground work for Afghan elections in future.
Australia’s approach to Afghanistan recognises the importance of comprehensive civil-military engagement in capacity-building and development assistance, in concert with sustained efforts to strengthen security through training of the Afghan National Security Forces . Australia is the largest contributor to the ANA trust fund ($200 million over 5 years), and is engaged in providing Operating and Mentoring Liaison in Oruzgan province, where we are training kandaks of the ANA 4th Brigade.
In Oruzgan province, Australia’s development assistance program seeks to strengthen the capacity of the Afghan Government to provide basic services and to better support economic and social development. At the London Conference, we announced further contributions for civilian efforts in Afghanistan, including an A$50 million contribution to the Reconstruction Trust Fund.
Australia firmly believes that an Afghan-government led and owned process of political reconciliation and reintegration is required to draw those people who lay down their arms, eschew violence, sever links with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups, and accept the Afghan constitution back into the fold. For this reason, we will contribute A$25 million to the Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund, subject to Australia having an appropriate role in the administration and governance oversight of the fund.
We also announced A$20 million for mine clearance activity, and additional assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Independent Human Rights Commission.
Mr President, in conclusion, we support the lead role of UNAMA in guiding the Afghan Government through the implementation of international assistance initiatives. We look forward to working with the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, and welcome UNAMA and ISAF working together on enhanced civilian coordination structures.
I also take this moment to acknowledge again the dedication and sacrifice of UNAMA personnel operating in the challenging environment of Afghanistan. Australia supports all efforts to meet the security needs of UNAMA staff in Afghanistan, to enable it to continue to fulfil its indispensible role throughout the country.