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Mr. President,
This week marks the third anniversary of the historic Bonn Agreement which
was the turning point in Afghanistan’s transition from war to peace. Pakistan
has worked very closely with the international community in the implementation
of the Bonn process. During the last year, two important benchmarks of this
process have been achieved - the successful conclusion of the constitutional
process and the holding of the Presidential elections in Afghanistan. President
Mr. Hamid Karzai’s inauguration this week as the elected President of
Afghanistan was the manifestation of the successful steps in the Bonn process.
President Musharraf visited Kabul last month to personally congratulate
President Karzai.
2. While the Bonn process is on track, security remains the most serious
challenge to peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. We thank the Secretary-General
for his informative report. The Secretary General’s report identifies the
following main threats to Afghanistan’s security: “(i) extremist or terrorist
attacks; (ii) factional violence among militia forces; and (iii) violence and
other threats to human security by criminal elements, in particular those
involved in the trafficking of drugs.”
3. In our view, the most serious threat emanates from the warlords and the
factional militias and the nexus between them and drug traffickers. Robust
measures and resolute action is, therefore, required to address these threats.
Such measures include: comprehensive disarmament, demobilization, and
reintegration of all factional militias and the demilitarization of Kabul. The
Bonn Process will remain incomplete until this is achieved. To facilitate this
it is necessary to ensure a robust presence of the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) and to accelerate the creation of a professional and
ethnically integrated Afghan National Army, Police, security and intelligence
services and institutions. State authority needs to be extended across the
country. A national reconciliation policy, aimed at incorporating all Afghans
willing to join the rebuilding the country, will also help in this national
integration process.
4. Pakistan recognizes the serious threat posed to Afghanistan’s security by the
resurgence of extremist forces – including Taliban remnants and Al-Qaeda. We
have been working closely with United States and Afghan authorities to
strengthen security along the international border between Pakistan and
Afghanistan through the Trilateral Commission. Pakistan has deployed over 75,000
troops along this difficult 2,500 kilometer long border. Extensive
anti-terrorist operations have been undertaken. We have captured over 600 Al-Qaida
and Taliban terrorist elements. Unfortunately, Pakistan has lost over 200
soldiers and policemen. For the complete success of these operations, it is
essential that Pakistan’s substantial security presence will be matched by a
commensurate security presence on the Afghan side of the international border.
5. We welcome the new discerning approach adopted by President Karzai’s
government to separate ordinary Afghans from the terrorists who continue to
challenge the authority of the central government. National reconciliation in
Afghanistan now demands a new approach - one which casts off the shackles of war
and looks forward to the dawn of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Mr. President,
6. Over the last two decades, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees,
without much appreciable assistance from the international community.We are
pleased with the voluntary repatriation of many of these refugees over the past
few years. However, we remain concerned that the repatriation process has
slowed, due to insecurity in Afghanistan as well as the absence of economic
opportunity for the returnees. To ensure sustainable returns, we hope that
recovery and reconstruction assistance will be especially targeted in the rural
areas from where most of the refugees originate.
Mr. President,
7. The first person to cast her vote in the Afghan Presidential elections was a
19-year old Afghan woman in Pakistan. We also expect that the Afghan refugees in
Pakistan and Iran – who constitute 20% to 30% of the Afghan population – will be
enabled to exercise their democratic right to vote in the forthcoming
parliamentary elections as they did in the Afghan Presidential elections. Such a
large proportion of the Afghan population cannot be disenfranchised. We strongly
urge the Afghan and international authorities to make the necessary preparations
for out-of-country voting by the Afghan refugees in the parliamentary elections.
8. Afghanistan’s peace and stability depends on security and a stable political
process. But this can be sustained only through reconstruction and development.
In this context, the level of reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in
Afghanistan remains inadequate and disappointing.
9. The economic vacuum is being filled by the illicit production and trafficking
in narcotics. The international community must simultaneously combat illicit
drugs and energize reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. In addition,
comprehensive counter-narcotic strategies must seek to provide income generation
and alternative livelihood to Afghan farmers to wean them away from poppy
production. Efforts will also be required to reduce the demand for Afghan drugs
in destination countries as well as combating illicit trafficking of precursors
which play an essential part in the production of narcotic drugs.
10. At the Tokyo Conference, Pakistan pledged 100 million over a five years,
towards Afghanistan’s reconstruction. Our assistance is being provided in areas
identified by the Afghan government and channeled through its authority. In
addition, we have extended additional transit trade facilities to Afghanistan.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan now stands at over $1 billion.
We are also exploring with the Afghan government the possibilities of private
sector cooperation and investment opportunities, particularly in such areas as
cement, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods. Pakistan strongly supports
implementation of the gas pipeline project between Pakistan, Afghanistan and
Turkmenistan. We also welcome all other initiatives aimed at economically
integrating Afghanistan with its neighbours and regional economic structures.
11. Finally, I wish to reaffirm Pakistan’s full and unequivocal support for the
Bonn Process and President Hamid Karzai’s Government. Pakistan supports Mr.
Karzai’s efforts aimed at national reconciliation and reconstruction of his
country. There can be no doubt that a strong, stable and prosperous Afghanistan
is in the interest of Pakistan. We will therefore spare no effort to help in
achieving this. Pakistan is resolved to work actively with the international
community to promote peace, stability, reconstruction and economic development
in Afghanistan.
I thank you, Mr. President.