Straw: G8 committed to Afghanistan
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today pledged that the international community would continue its commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
At talks in London with G8 foreign ministers, Mr Straw said that it was a “remarkable achievement” that the country was now planning for elections in September, four years after the overthrow of the Taliban.
Flanked by Afghan foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, Mr Straw stressed that the elections would not mark the end of the international community’s involvement in the country.
“We have recommitted ourselves and the international community to a long-term relationship with the people of Afghanistan and its government,” he said.
He emphasised that there was still “a great deal to do” in terms of reconstruction, development and tackling the Afghan drugs trade.
His promise of continued international involvement was welcomed by Dr Abdullah.
“This continued commitment of the G8 and the international community as a whole – it comes as reassurance to the people of Afghanistan in building a stable, prosperous and democratic country,” he said.
Dr Abdullah acknowledged that there were still security problems in the country, including the infiltration of former Taliban supporters from neighbouring Pakistan.
“This is something we need further cooperation on from Pakistan,” he said.
“People are being killed. People are crossing borders. We have to deal with this. We need to work in a more vigorous manner.”
Following their discussions on Afghanistan, the G8 ministers were discussing developments in the Middle East, with a briefing from Special Envoy James Wolfensohn, the former head of the World Bank.
The talks come ahead of the planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Mr Straw stressed that the G8 was determined that it should be a success.
“There will be detailed discussions with the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and with the neighbours about the actions which have to be undertaken and have not to be undertaken to ensure that the withdrawal from Gaza is a success,” he said.
