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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Funding.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

14 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress in stabilising Afghanistan; the level of EU assistance allocated to Afghanistan for 2003; the projected level of assistance for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26783/03]

On 1 October 2003, I made a statement to the House concerning the situation in Afghanistan. Since then, the progress towards re-establishing a democratic civil government in Afghanistan has continued. Under the provisions of the Bonn Agreement, the Afghanistan Transitional Authority, ATA, established in June 2002, is to be replaced by an elected government following elections scheduled to take place in June 2004. An electoral commission has been established and the UN mission in Afghanistan has started to organise the electoral process.

A draft constitution was published by the ATA on 3 November. The draft was prepared in the first instance by a special constitutional commission, which enjoyed assistance from international experts, and which engaged in an extensive process of consultation, within the constraints imposed by the current security situation. The draft establishes the centrality of Islam, "observes" the United Nations Charter, and "respects" the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It also provides for an office of president and a national assembly. The draft constitution will be debated, possibly amended, and ultimately approved by the Loya Jirga tribal council, which is expected to be convened on 10 December, for some weeks.

On 14 October, the United Nations Security Council agreed unanimously to authorise the extension of the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, to 20 December 2004. The Security Council also authorised the expansion of ISAF's mandate to allow it to support the ATA and its successors in the maintenance of security in areas of Afghanistan outside Kabul and its environs. Progress has also been made on the creation of a national police force and reform of the national army. The first battalions of the army have begun military operations alongside coalition forces. The disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process began on 24 October in the northern province of Kunduz.

Despite this progress, a number of serious problems continue to confront Afghanistan. The adverse security situation is caused by the resurgent Taliban, predominantly in the south and east, and by armed factions associated with regional warlords. On the political front, the ATA's writ largely does not run beyond Kabul, and there has been little progress in forcing regional governors to submit tax revenue to the central government. The economy is still in dire straits; it is primarily based on agriculture, and poppy cultivation is a large and growing industry. Socially and culturally tribal divisions run deep, with the majority Pashtuns becoming increasingly disenchanted with their lack of representation in the ATA.
The EU is committed to delivering a major contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. In March 2003, the Commission announced a funding package of €400 million for the period 2003 to 2004 for Afghanistan. This funding has been earmarked for continued reconstruction and recovery assistance and focuses on four sectors: rural development and food security; public sector reform; economic infrastructure; and support for the health sector. To date in 2003, €159 million of this funding has been made available for reconstruction programmes. In addition, there will be continued humanitarian assistance from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, ECHO, with funding of up to €55 million likely to be delivered by the end of 2003. In September 2003, the Commission also announced an additional special contribution of €50 million to the United Nations Law and Order Trust Fund in Afghanistan.
For its part, Ireland remains committed to assisting Afghanistan. At the International Conference on Afghanistan in January 2002, Ireland pledged €12 million over a three year period for reconstruction in Afghanistan. Almost €9.4 million has been delivered or approved for delivery to date. It is expected that Ireland will have fully disbursed its Tokyo pledge to Afghanistan in early 2004. Together with our EU partners, Ireland remains committed to and will continue to support the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan to help ensure that, with the assistance of the international community, it may emerge as a stable and peaceful democracy.
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