Michael Ring
Question:133 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on progress made to date in bringing about a stable and democratic Afghanistan. [6541/03]
Written Answers - Foreign Conflicts.
On 17 December 2002, I made a statement to the House concerning the situation in Afghanistan. Since then, the progress towards a stable and democratic society in Afghanistan has continued. This process commenced with the signing of the Bonn Agreement in December 2001. Working together, the Afghanistan Transitional Authority and the international community are working steadily towards the reconstruction of the social, economic and governmental infrastructure of Afghanistan. Since 17 December, the important process of drafting a new constitution for Afghanistan has advanced. President Karzai is currently preparing a decree detailing the main elements of the new constitutional process, and a constitutional commission is to be established by March 2003. Thereafter, public consultations on the new constitution are scheduled to take place between April and June this year. There has also been important progress on the preparation for the elections due to take place in June 2004. The UN mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, has already started organising the electoral process and co-ordinating the international assistance which has been offered.
A very welcome development on the ground in Afghanistan was the heavy fall of rain and snow last week. There is widespread hope there that this may mark the end of the severe drought, which the people have endured for the past six years. The impact of the end of the drought cannot be underestimated, as it would have a huge effect on the agricultural and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, which has been particularly devastating for the rural population. Other key developments currently under way include the reform of the national army and the creation of a national police force. On a positive note, on 10 February 2003, the leadership of the international security assistance force, ISAF, with which Irish troops continue to serve in Kabul, was transferred smoothly from Turkey to Germany and the Netherlands. In view of this progress, it is unfortunate that the human rights and security situations in Afghanistan continue to raise concern. The Afghanistan poppy eradication programme has also met with opposition in the east of the country and there have been reports of attacks on the offices of some international organisations.
The Government remains strongly committed to the process of reconstruction in Afghanistan. Our ambassador in Tehran, who will also serve as ambassador to Afghanistan, is presenting his credentials in Kabul this week. He will conduct a series of meetings on the ground with the Afghan authorities, Irish NGOs in the field and international organisations, which will be important for our assessment of the ongoing needs of the Afghan people and in further informing decisions as to where Ireland's contribution can best be made. Ireland has provided over €14.2 million in funding to Afghanistan since 2000 which, I am pleased to report, makes us one of the leading international donors to Afghanistan on aper capita basis. Together with our EU partners, Ireland will maintain its commitment to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan to ensure that, with the help of the international community, it may emerge as a stable and peaceful democracy.