Brussels, 14/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Commissioner Chris Patten's initiative, the Commission has decided to grant EUR 4.9 million in initial aid for the political, economic and social reconstruction of Afghanistan. The funds were released using the new rapid intervention mechanism for the civilian management of crises and will be used to fund a programme to restore confidence, focussing on rapid action: technical assistance to the new interim government once it takes up office on 22...