Opinion Out of Afghanistan

Afghanistan agreed to taking over certain responsibilities — security,policing and military functions — over a specified time period. Point 10 of the conference communiqué addresses the issues of security and the handing over of responsibility to Afghan forces. It is stated that the Afghan government is encouraged towards “conducting the majority of operations in the insecure areas…within three years” and that “within five years” it would be responsible for securing a majority of the main insurgent strongholds. Partnering between Afghan and NATO forces is seen as an important goal of the current strategy. The theme of the conference can be identified as the following: transition,handoff and eventual departure. Further,the communiqué was rife with words such as “deadline” and “timetable”. Hillary Clinton however added that “this is not an exit strategy,It is about assisting and partnering with the Afghans.” It has been decided that security for certain provinces would be handed over from NATO to Afghan forces as soon as the end of the year — however for areas of full-blown insurgency,the weaker Afghan forces would be expected to take control within three (to five) years. To this effect the international community will aid in developing Afghanistan ‘s security capabilities — the army will be boosted to 171,600 and the police will number 134,000 by mid-to-end 2011. Karzai,however added that even after Afghan forces have gained the upper hand,international assistance will be required for an additional five to ten years.

• What is the Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund?

The fund is to encourage militants to lay their arms down. It is hoped that this fund will create alternate methods of livelihood so that insurgents have a channel “back into mainstream life on the condition that they renounce violence.” At the London Conference alone,$140 million was raised and it is expected that this could go up to $500 million. (The US is not contributing to this fund). Part of this deal is the Karzai government’s effort at reaching out to the Taliban. Karzai has also announced plans for a Loya Jirga (elders conference or tribal conference) where Afghans will discuss the manner in which dialogue will take place. Rangin Spanta — Afghanistan ‘s foreign minister — added that “the reintegration strategy is not to share political power with the Taliban.” Rather,he said it was about offering “simple countryside Afghan citizens who are not happy with the government or paid by the hardcore Taliban” the “prospect of a real life,a job,education and a future.” Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal predicted the figure for reintegration would be somewhere around $1 billion dollars,adding that this would amount to “peanuts compared to the costs of the war.” Japan has provided $50 million towards the fund. In the longer term,Karzai is in favour of Saudi Arabia mediating talks between the Taliban and Afghanistan.

• What about corruption?

Karzai’s government has been accused of being one of the most corrupt governments in the world by Transparency International. Karzai has stated that battling corruption will be “the key focus” of his second term in office. He has pledged towards the creation of an independent body for oversight. This would consist of international monitors and would keep a progress report in Afghanistan’s battle against corruption. There is also talk of appointing a corruption oversight body — the aim is to ensure proper accounting practices and audit.