Japan pledges fresh Afghan aid but warns on security

JAPAN: Japan on Tuesday pledged 110 million dollars of fresh aid to Afghanistan but warned that the security situation was presenting serious challenges as donors met to assess progress in the war-torn country.

Twenty-four nations and international organisations opened a two-day meeting in Tokyo of the Afghanistan Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, which looks at implementation of reconstruction aid.

Drugs production, which last year reached new highs and feeds into deteriorating security, was also a main focus of the meeting in Tokyo.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura opened the meeting by announcing a further 110 million dollars of help to Afghanistan.

Komura said, however, that lingering violence posed threats to lasting peace there. "The security of Kabul has deteriorated with suicide bombings and kidnapping of foreigners, and the insurgent activities in the southern part of the country could intensify at any moment," he said.

"So as to overcome these challenges, further strengthening of the institutions of the government of Afghanistan and corresponding support from the international community are indispensable," he said.

Afghan Foreign Minister Dadfar Spanta acknowledged problems but said the business environment, education and health care had improved significantly since a US-led coalition ousted the extremist Taliban regime in late 2001.

"Now the major challenge before us is to translate the benefits of this growth into employment opportunities for millions of unemployed citizens," he told the monitoring board, which was meeting for the seventh time.

"Let me assure you. We are fully committed to building a stable, peaceful and democratic and prosperous Afghanistan," he said, asking for continued help from the international community.

Japan has been a major donor to Afghanistan, already pledging some 1.2 billion dollars since the fall of the Taliban.

The newly pledged money includes 13 million dollars to help literacy efforts and nine million dollars to enhance border security.

Some 90 million dollars, which is subject to approval of Japan's parliament, would consist of money sent to UN agencies for causes including assisting refugees and removing landmines.

Tokyo, Tuesday, AFP