Strasbourg, 15/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The new Afghan authorities have made a considerable effort over recent months but reform is still not sufficient and, above all, progress with regards security is not up to the government's expectations, Tasso Giannitis, Greece's Deputy Foreign Minister, told the European Parliament on Wednesday. Speaking on behalf of the Greek Presidency, he took stock of the situation in Afghanistan one year after the Bonn Agreement. In his view, more should therefore be done to "limit the acts of war" which continue, and at the same time continue the enormous task of economic reconstruction, without forgetting the fight against illegal drug trafficking and production, a fight that the European Union will continue to support. The Council President also insisted on the need for greater coordination between donors so that international aid to Afghanistan may be more effective and reach those it is really intended for. External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said he was totally in agreement on this point and announced that, during his visit to Kabul in February, he precisely wishes to discuss strengthened coordination in favour of which, he said, the Commission will continue to play a leading role. Philippe Morillon told the same story on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, calling for an agency responsible for donor coordination to be created.
The EUR 275 million approved by this Parliament for intervention in Afghanistan over the past twelve months have been well spent, Chris Patten told MEPs, placing emphasis on the quality and speed of the aid programme (which he described as a good example of the link to be established between emergency aid and rebuilding), as well as the excellent work done by the Commission's office in Kabul and that of the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan. Deploring the recent assassination of a relief worker on the ground, Mr Patten exclaimed: "sometimes we underestimate the courage and commitment required from aid workers". Among the results already obtained through EU support, Mr Patten mainly cited the opening of hospitals, de-mining operations (over 8,000 square kilometers, he specified), and the reopening of schools. He noted that one of the most "moving" moments of his trip to Afghanistan last year had been a visit to a school where, after six years' interruption, girls were taking physics lessons, "without blackboard, without books". He exclaimed that those who believe it would have been possible to just go on not doing anything, leaving the Taliban regime in place, should have seen the dedication of these pupils and teaching staff! In 2003, the Union's assistance in Afghanistan amounted to EUR 230-240 million, according to current estimates, Mr Patten said. In coming months, he continued, three main problems must be tackled: - continuation of the "long term" donor commitment in favour of Afghanistan, improved internal security, and improved human rights (mainly for women and minorities). By way of conclusion, Mr Patten gave a warning: "We must help Afghanistan but we must not forget other countries where dangers are lurking, such as the countries of Central Asia and Pakistan".
During the debate, Philippe Morillon (EPP-ED) mainly spoke of the "persisting fundamentalist terrorist threat" and possible support to these groups coming from "uncontrolled zones" in neighbouring countries. Max van den Berg (PES) insisted on disarmament of the "warlords". According to the Dutch Socialist, ISAF should help to create a "national army exercising its authority throughout the territory", and the Iraqi crisis should not deflect the international coalition against terrorism from the fight against this scourge in Afghanistan. Baroness Nicholson (ELDR) was the first to complain against the "assault" on women's rights, mainly outside Kabul (a subject which should be "at the top of the agenda", she said). She was followed in this by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL), who also insisted on the need to extend central power beyond the capital and ensure separation of military and political power. Joos Lagendijk (Greens/EFA) also spoke of the acts of violence that compromise the country's security.
Recalling General Massoud's calls for help just a few weeks before he was assassinated, Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) proposed that there should be a "Massoud Prize", and Gianfranco Dell'Alba (Lista Bonino) expressed surprise that ratification of the International Criminal Court had not been expressly welcomed by the Afghan government.
Women's rights, the end of the warlords' rule, the fate of US prisoners, these are the matters that concern MEPs. Furthermore, there is the need to ensure that aid reaches destination and that it is fairly distributed, as Elmar Brok (CDU) requested, urging for greater security. Without safety guarantees, he said, private investors will not venture into Afghanistan. Iannis Sakellariou (SPD) (for once speaking in his language of origin, Greek) confirmed his support to the fight against terrorism, denounced the treatment of prisoners held by the United States in Guantanamo, and called for clarity on the atrocities committed in Afghanistan. Danish national Pernille Frahm (Nordic Left) reproaches the United States, which demands respect of international law from others, with violating this same law in the treatment of its own prisoners. Geneviève Fraisse (GUE, France) raised the problem of the fate of women - who are victim to and players in the conflict - and recalled, as Fourier said, for "social changes to the measure of women's freedom". The ISAF mandate must be extended, said Dominique Souchet (Mouvement pour la France) and Ursula Stenzel (EPP/ED, Austria), while British Conservative Geoffrey Van Orden recalled that Afghanistan is the most heavily mined country in the world. Afghan refugees, he added, are now the largest group of asylum seekers in the United Kingdom.
The Commission is the donor that has provided the most aid for the government's "ordinary business", Chris Patten finally said, noting that the quality of some members of the Afghan diaspora, who have returned home, inspires trust.
Voting with 257 in favour, 22 against and 9 abstentions, the Parliament adopted a resolution by several political groups, in which it: - calls for an extended ISAF mandate in order to ensure long term stability and prevent regional clashes; - invites the Member States (amendment by the Liberals) to contribute to training of the army and police as well as to setting in place a legal framework that protects human rights and improves women's rights, with the assurance that the problem will be tackled directly with the regional leaders; - takes a stance in favour of a decree (Greens' amendment) introducing separation of the civilian and military security roles; - expresses its concern for the continued problem of the role of the warlords; - invites donor countries and the United Nations to find just criteria for the repatriation of Afghan refugees; - calls on the United States (amendment by the Socialists) to take measures necessary for guaranteeing that prisoners benefit from fundamental guarantees; - and decides that a mission should be sent to Afghanistan in the spring.