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News - April 2009
► Statement to the International Conference on Afghanistan in The Hague by The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs - 31 March 2009
Mr Chairman,
I thank our hosts for organising this Conference, which comes at a critical time for Afghanistan and its region.
Australia welcomes increased engagement by the United Nations in Afghanistan and the excellent work of its Special Representative, Kai Eide.
I also acknowledge our Afghan partners here today, led by President Karzai.
I underline the Australian Government's continued appreciation of our close collaboration with the Netherlands, our good friend and close partner in Oruzgan Province.
Australia remains committed to Afghanistan. We are the largest non-NATO military contributor. We have committed $250 million over three years to development, civil reconstruction and training efforts. We are making and will continue to make a contribution to both Army and Police training.
Australia urges the international community to reaffirm its collective resolve at this Conference and beyond to build a stable and secure Afghanistan.
Australia also welcomes the recently announced United States review of its strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. We agree with the aims of the review and its conclusions.
The review supports Australia's analysis that we must confront what I describe as the current hotbed of international terrorism along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. That can only be done by a coordinated military, reconstruction and political effort.
We have all seen how an Afghanistan preyed upon by international terrorists has terrible consequences for the Afghan people, the South and Central Asian region and the world.
Along with our friends and partners, we are committed to working with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to tackle this threat at its source.
We are committed to giving the Afghan people the means to secure their own future. We welcome renewed focus on training, on building the capacity of the Afghan National Army and Police to achieve this aim.
We will also work with others to help Pakistan tackle its grave internal security and economic challenges.
Mr Chairman, a stable Afghanistan is in Australia's national interest. It is clearly in the interests of Afghanistan's neighbours and region, as well as the international community as a whole.
In working to achieve this vital objective, Australia especially welcomes a focus on two key elements at this Conference.
First, the need for a comprehensive approach to Afghanistan, better integrating military and civilian efforts across the country. It is clear that a military campaign alone will not solve Afghanistan's problems.
As well, there must also be, at some stage, dialogue and reconciliation led by the Afghan political leadership.
Second, we are encouraged to see so many of Afghanistan's South and Central Asian neighbours here. Australia urges you to work closely with the United Nations and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Countries to achieve progress in Afghanistan.
We all stand to benefit if Afghanistan is safe from terrorists and drug traffickers, as well as no longer being a source of displaced people and refugees.
This year, 2009, is a critical year for Afghanistan. Australia considers it vital that Afghanistan has credible elections this year. We have provided $8 million to support the elections and we are considering additional measures of assistance for that election.
This year, ISAF must also work to break the strategic stalemate it confronts in Afghanistan. The Afghan Government must also do much more to tackle corruption, to tackle narcotics, as well as provide services and reach out to its citizens.
The Australian people - like those of most other countries represented today - have seen mounting sacrifices. Two brave and dedicated Australian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan within one week this month. For Australians, these are terrible losses.
Afghanistan remains difficult and dangerous. Despite the risks, the international community cannot afford to walk away. Australia will continue to work with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United Nations and all here today.
We must never again give terrorists free rein to intimidate the Afghan people and threaten its region and our world.