SECURITY IN AFGHANISTAN
Fostering a secure, democratic and stable Afghanistan is one of the most pressing concerns
facing the international community today. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
the U.S.-led military coalition in Afghanistan is determined never again to allow that country to
become a base for terrorist activity. This is a major reason why the G8 has chosen to make
security in Afghanistan the focus of its conflict prevention work this year.
After years of civil conflict, repressive rule and most recently, drought and earthquakes,
Afghanistan is in dire need of international assistance to help it recover. The Afghan Interim
Administration (AIA), working with the United Nations, has identified security sector reform as
the top priority. Without stability and the rule of law, delivery of much-needed humanitarian
assistance will be severely hampered and Afghanistan’s long-term reconstruction could be
stalled.
At Whistler, the foreign ministers will review the situation in Afghanistan, including coalition
efforts to ensure security through the ongoing military operation against terrorism, and technical
and financial assistance programs administered in close cooperation with the AIA and the UN.
The political situation will most likely be on the agenda, since the Foreign Ministers’ meeting is
taking place at the same time as the emergency Loya Jirga, or Grand Council in Afghanistan,
which is attempting to establish a Transitional Authority to run the country until elections take
place in two years’ time.
As current G8 President, Canada has been chairing an ad hoc group of experts from member
countries, the UN and Afghanistan, to devise strategies and coordinate assistance for the
development of the Afghan security sector. Specifically, these experts have been focusing on
the following: the demobilization of combatants; the training of the Afghan National Army; the
creation of a national police force; the restoration of the justice sector; and the fight against the
opium trade. When they meet, Foreign Ministers may review the work of the experts.
What the G8 has done
Several G8 members are engaged in the military campaign against terrorism and/or are
participating in humanitarian and reconstruction programs. G8 countries are the world’s leaders
in security and legal reform, and are well placed to offer the resources and expertise needed to
support the reform of the security sector, in close cooperation with the Afghan authorities and
the UN.
In November 2001, G8 Foreign Ministers issued a statement encouraging the
December 5, 2001 Bonn meeting of Afghan representatives. This meeting produced an
agreement on the political process for the establishment of a new Afghan government,
including the convening of the emergency Loya Jirga and a schedule for democratic elections,
to be held by July 2004.
|
