090319_SC_afghanistan - Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

New York

Permanent Mission address: 150 East 42 Street, Level 33, New York, New York 10017 - Telephone: 1 212 351 6600 - Fax: 1 212 351 6610

Statement by H.E Andrew Goledzinowski, ambassador and Chargé d’affaires of Australia to the united nations to the UN security council on the situation in Afghanistan

19 March 2009

(As distributed)

Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Council’s debate on the situation in Afghanistan. We agree with the Secretary-General’s report that efforts by the Afghan Government and international community to stabilise Afghanistan face a critical test in 2009. In the year ahead, ensuring the credible conduct of Presidential and Provincial Council elections will be important for demonstrating that its developing democracy will not be disrupted by the Taliban insurgency.

Australia welcomes the August date for elections announced by the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission. This timing provides an opportunity for the necessary logistical preparations to be carried out to allow the people of Afghanistan to exercise their democratic right in confidence. Australian Government supports efforts to find a solution to constitutional issues in a manner that would ensure legitimacy and stability of government until the inauguration. Australia is committed to supporting the conduct of the elections. The Australian Government recently announced $3 million in support to the UNDP effort to establish an independent Electoral Complaints Commission in Afghanistan. This assistance builds on $5 million in assistance previously provided in support of voter registration, education and public outreach activities

Australia recognises the enormous challenges Afghanistan and its international partners face. It is clear that continuing attacks in Afghanistan confirm a sustained and resilient Taliban-led insurgency, and that insecurity is constraining progress of stabilisation and reconstruction efforts. Improving security is critical to enable important reconstruction and development to take place. Ultimately, this will require the Afghan Government forces to develop the capability to take lead responsibility. Australia has been providing training and mentoring through the deployment of an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team in Oruzgan province since October 2008.

Australia welcomes the recognition in the Secretary-General’s report that ISAF has undertaken efforts aimed at reducing the number of civilian casualties. Australia, like others, deeply regrets civilian casualties that arise from the actions of international forces. We have strict rules of engagement to minimise those risks, and processes to review and ensure that our actions comply with those rules, a clear contrast to the disregard for civilian lives displayed by our enemies.

Australia recognises that military efforts alone will not be sufficient to achieve lasting progress. It is, of course, critical to provide economic and development opportunities to enable the people of Afghanistan to improve their lives. The Australian Government pledged $250 million in development and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan to build Afghan capacity (over three years). This brings Australia's development assistance since 2001 to $600 million.

Political reconciliation and, ultimately, settlement will also be a critical element of a lasting and durable solution in Afghanistan. Constructive engagement by regional countries will also be important.

Australian development assistance aims to improve governance at a national and provincial level, and strengthen capacity to deliver health and education services crucial to Afghanistan's long-term recovery. Australia is also addressing humanitarian needs, including by providing support to the United Nations Mine Action Program for Afghanistan, and with food assistance through the World Food Programme. We recognise the magnitude of the humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan, and welcome the establishment of a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to facilitate the United Nations response to these challenges

Welcome the importance attached in the Secretary-General’s report to ensuring development assistance is applied intelligently according to a coordinated and comprehensive plan with clear goals. Australia very much values the efforts of SRSG Kai Eide and the UNAMA team to achieve better unity of effort in international donor activity.

Australia supports efforts to expand the reach of UNAMA through the establishment of new provincial offices. This sends a clear signal of the UN’s commitment to provide more direct humanitarian and development assistance, through programs and outreach, at the community level – where help is most needed. We welcome in particular the opening of an UNAMA provincial office in Oruzgan (southern Afghanistan) where Australian military and civilian personnel are currently deployed, and look forward to working with UNAMA in Oruzgan to improve conditions in this area of southern Afghanistan.

Australia looks forward to participating in the International Conference on Afghanistan in the Hague on 31 March. The meeting will be a key opportunity for international community to reaffirm its commitment to Afghanistan, and to look critically at what is working and what isn't and how we can make our collective efforts more effective. We welcome the role of the United Nations in chairing this meeting and thank the Netherlands (our partners in Oruzgan province) for hosting.

Australia strongly supports UNAMA and supports the extension of its mandate. We will need also to continue to ensure that its operation is properly resourced. We also wish to record our deep appreciation for the invaluable efforts of SRSG Kai Eide in his leadership of UNAMA.

We believe that continued progress in Afghanistan depends on strengthened and expanded engagement by the UN and the international community, in concert with the government and people of Afghanistan.