02/04/2004
UN envoy welcomes Afghan aid donations
The UN's top envoy to Afghanistan has hailed the success of this week's international conference on the country, which closed with donors pledging to give $8.2 billion over the next three years for the reconstruction effort.
Jean Arnault, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, described the two-day meeting in Berlin as "very encouraging".
In a final declaration adopted by the forum, donors pledged contributions totalling $8.2 billion, with $4.4 billion set aside for the first year.
Mr Arnault said that there had been a "candid assessment" of what achievements had been made since a previous international conference on Afghanistan, held in Bonn in late 2001. That meeting created a framework for the country's short to medium-term future, shortly after the US ousted the Taliban in its war on terror.
The problems caused by factionalism and the illicit drug industry were highlighted at the conference, and much of the stabilisation effort will require significant progress on both issues.
Mr Arnault said the Berlin conference showed the Afghan leadership that it had the "full backing" of the international community during its difficult transition to a "functioning, stable democracy".
Afghanistan's national presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for September.
(gmcg)
Jean Arnault, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, described the two-day meeting in Berlin as "very encouraging".
In a final declaration adopted by the forum, donors pledged contributions totalling $8.2 billion, with $4.4 billion set aside for the first year.
Mr Arnault said that there had been a "candid assessment" of what achievements had been made since a previous international conference on Afghanistan, held in Bonn in late 2001. That meeting created a framework for the country's short to medium-term future, shortly after the US ousted the Taliban in its war on terror.
The problems caused by factionalism and the illicit drug industry were highlighted at the conference, and much of the stabilisation effort will require significant progress on both issues.
Mr Arnault said the Berlin conference showed the Afghan leadership that it had the "full backing" of the international community during its difficult transition to a "functioning, stable democracy".
Afghanistan's national presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for September.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 June 2004
UN condemns murder of aid workers in Afghanistan
The murder of five members of the non-governmental organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Afghanistan has been condemned by the UN today as an "outrage". Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Jean Arnault voiced his "shock and outrage" at “yet another tragic and unacceptable act directed at the aid community”.
UN condemns murder of aid workers in Afghanistan
The murder of five members of the non-governmental organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Afghanistan has been condemned by the UN today as an "outrage". Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Jean Arnault voiced his "shock and outrage" at “yet another tragic and unacceptable act directed at the aid community”.
29 March 2004
Afghan elections announcement welcomed by UN
The senior UN envoy to Afghanistan has welcomed an announcement by the country's president, Hamid Karzai, that elections have been scheduled to take place in September. Under an accord reached two years ago in Bonn, Germany, elections were to be held in June, but security and other considerations have caused delays in voter registration.
Afghan elections announcement welcomed by UN
The senior UN envoy to Afghanistan has welcomed an announcement by the country's president, Hamid Karzai, that elections have been scheduled to take place in September. Under an accord reached two years ago in Bonn, Germany, elections were to be held in June, but security and other considerations have caused delays in voter registration.
07 September 2006
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
Commander calls for more Nato troops for Afghanistan
Nato's top commander has urged member nations to provide more troops in Afghanistan to support the current battle against Taliban militants. General James Jones said that the military alliance had been surprised by the "level of intensity" of attacks in southern Afghanistan since Nato troops moved into the region in July.
02 March 2004
UK to double Afghan aid to £500m by 2009
The government has said that it will more than double the funding it sends to Afghanistan over the next five years to at least £500 million.
UK to double Afghan aid to £500m by 2009
The government has said that it will more than double the funding it sends to Afghanistan over the next five years to at least £500 million.
24 November 2003
UN may reduce staff in Afghanistan following attacks
The UN mission in Afghanistan is considering downsizing its staff in the south, southeast and east of the country following a recent spate of attacks. The revelation follows on from a helicopter crash near Bagram airbase in which five US soldiers died yesterday. The cause of the crash is not yet known, and US authorities are still investigating.
UN may reduce staff in Afghanistan following attacks
The UN mission in Afghanistan is considering downsizing its staff in the south, southeast and east of the country following a recent spate of attacks. The revelation follows on from a helicopter crash near Bagram airbase in which five US soldiers died yesterday. The cause of the crash is not yet known, and US authorities are still investigating.