YouSaid · the spoken record

Tanin

lines on the record: 865
first: 2007-01-31
most recent: 2021-10-15
sittings or episodes: 78
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Afghans welcomed the defeat of the terrorists and extremists who had invaded and corrupted our homeland. As long as the international forces provide safety, security and the promise of a democratic future, Afghans will continue to be staunch allies. But Afghans are simultaneously driven by the urgency of keeping the dark days securely behind us. The devastation of the Taliban is a constant reminder of the effects of neglecting the destruction of war. The greatest blunder of our time is to forget that the ruins of war breed angry, desperate and radicalized people. The world has an obligation to act so that the Taliban and Al-Qaida do not return to power. That obligation is both moral and practical. Morally, the horrific abuse of civilians, particularly children and women, anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“Afghans are fully invested in a legitimate, inclusive democratic process, and we see that in the strong engagement in the national debate surrounding the upcoming elections. Afghans want to ensure that their country's future is a continuation of the peaceful modernization that began in the early twentieth century. Afghans are eager to work with the international community to eliminate the threat of the Taliban, Al- Qaida and other terrorist groups. The Taliban is not an organic part of Afghan society. It is a product of the violence, cross-border madrassas and foreign indoctrination that disrupted our stable society. Today, a mere 4 per cent of Afghans want to see the Taliban in power. The international community should also be encouraged by the reminder that Afghans supported the United States-led intervention in 2001.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“The preparations for our presidential and provincial elections provide a chance to strengthen legitimacy and national unity. The continuing insecurity in parts of the country threatens those objectives but also gives us a clear goal in the coming months. There has been a welcome increase in international focus on Afghanistan. Afghans are pleased to note the many recent strategic reviews and recommendations, including the upcoming conference to be held in The Hague on 31 March. We hope that that new spirit of engagement will help us proceed in a constructive, unified and coordinated way. The international community should join Afghanistan in that spirit. In the past eight years, Afghanistan has made progress. We can continue to make progress.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“Allow me, Sir, to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of March and to thank you for holding this debate. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his latest report (S/2009/ 135) on the situation in Afghanistan. I am also grateful to my friend, Mr. Kai Eide, for his comprehensive briefing here today and for his able leadership of the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). We have taken note of his important points, the suggestions that he has made and the concerns that he has raised. The Security Council is discussing Afghanistan at an important time. In two days, the people of Afghanistan will celebrate our new year, so we begin today from a new perspective of hope.”
2009-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6094 (2009) · source
“With the increasing violence of the Taliban, it has become even more imperative that the Afghan Government and the international community work together to effectively eliminate terrorism. The terrorists are responsible for the large majority of civilian casualties, but the Government of Afghanistan and the international forces bear a heavier burden: we must provide security and protection to the people who need it. Our energies must be channelled collectively to prove to the Afghan people that we consider their welfare to be central to the endeavour for peace and stability in the country.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We must minimize reliance on those methods of warfare. The second measure is to work more in cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan and with law enforcement on the ground. Home searches and detention practices should operate within the guidelines set out in the Afghan Constitution. The Afghan national army and police should assume responsibility for home searches. Thirdly, we encourage the international forces to operate with greater cultural sensitivity. In conducting searches and arrests, they should avoid heavy-handed tactics and operate with respect and minimal force. And where civilian casualties do occur, there should be apologies and accountability.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Our Government believes that we need to work together with the international community in a spirit of open dialogue and cooperation to find a workable framework in which to address this problem, and we are discussing the issue with our partners. NATO and American-led forces have already introduced new strategies aimed at minimizing civilian casualties, and we have seen some positive results. However, any life is precious, and as a Government we have a particular responsibility to safeguard the lives of our citizens and not rest until every Afghan is safe. To decrease the harm to the Afghan people, there are three measures for us to consider. The first is to avoid tactics that cause significant unintentional civilian deaths. Air strikes in particular result in enormous casualties among innocent people.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Secondly, the Taliban are using civilians as human shields, hiding in towns and villages and using men, women and children as cover for attacks on Government and international forces. As a result, over 60 per cent of civilian casualties have occurred in the south and east of the country, where the Taliban and Al-Qaida are most active. Unfortunately, many civilians have also suffered and lost their lives during counter-terrorist operations. This is a matter of grave concern for the Government of Afghanistan. His Excellency President Karzai has recently and repeatedly raised concerns and has asked the international forces to find ways to prevent civilian deaths.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“First, the terrorists have demonstrated their complete disregard for the sanctity of human life. Suicide bombs kill more civilians than military personnel. The Taliban regularly abduct, torture and execute civilians, particularly targeting Afghans and foreigners who are perceived to be cooperating with, or receiving services from, the Government or the international community. They behead doctors, teachers, clergy and tribal leaders, recruit children as suicide bombers and spray acid in the face of schoolgirls. Taliban harm to civilians and the creation of an environment of distrust and fear impede the ability of the Afghan Government and the international community to deliver services to the people who need them most.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In Afghanistan as well, a new wave of violence is destroying the lives of innocent civilians. More than 2,100 civilians died in 2008 alone. Women, men, students, teachers, aid workers, farmers, tribal leaders and clergy are all victims. The issue of civilian casualties strikes at the heart of Afghanistan. In the past few years, the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other terrorist elements have embraced tactics that target civilians with increasing deadliness. In 2008, terrorists accounted for the majority of civilian casualties. The numbers of victims of the terrorists are sobering. In 2008 alone, at least 250 civilians were executed, and an additional 725, or more, were killed by suicide attacks or by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This targeting of civilians by the Taliban has accomplished several terrible objectives.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Mr. President, allow me to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this first month of the new year. In addition, Sir, I thank you for convening this debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, an issue which should never be far from our attention. Here, at the beginning of a new year, let us renew our conviction that no civilian anywhere should bear the costs of war. As we speak, our thoughts are with the thousands of men, women and children who have been killed and who have suffered in Gaza in the last 19 days. Civilians have been largely affected by this conflict, and the brutality continues. We call for an immediate ceasefire, as requested in resolution 1860 (2009). This conflict must end now.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Cooperation and unity is how we forge a world that will be just, peaceful and strong against terror. Cooperation is how we win.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“We have to be as committed to cooperative measures following 100 days of peace as we are after an attack as bloody as the one in Mumbai. Organizations such as the Security Council should further contribute to cooperation by calling for new sanctions against terrorist groups and those elements and entities that seek to sponsor and support terrorism. Without that consistent and comprehensive commitment to cooperation, we will walk into the traps the terrorists have laid for us. Reckless anger, further fighting and war are how terrorism wins. 30 At a time when the world is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is appropriate that we should reassert that all people - regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, class or gender - deserve a life free of fear, free of oppression and free of war.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“In Afghanistan, we are fighting against terrorism on a daily basis by building schools for our children, by putting an end to the narcotics industry that feeds terrorism, by locating rural enterprises for our people in order to improve their livelihoods and by providing water and sanitation to our people. We are fighting corruption by renewing the leadership of our ministries and local administrations. We are training our security forces so that our people can live without fear. This constant and comprehensive approach will improve our cooperation and fight terrorism effectively. We cannot wait for the next terrorist attack to re-energize our efforts in favour of such a cooperative strategy. We cannot wait for another attack to join together.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“In Afghanistan, our recent initiative to pursue peace talks will also abide by this principle of consistency. Secondly, a successful cooperation strategy should address terrorism comprehensively, from its root causes upward. Terrorism gains its converts from those who suffer from socio-economic imbalances, social handicaps and wrenching poverty, and it hides behind popular political discontent. Terrorism tries to indoctrinate the young and innocent. We need to engage in preventive measures and policies that address the social and economic inequity upon which terrorist elements prey. Our cooperative strategy against terrorism should not only be about decapitating individual terrorist groups; our strategy must also be about bringing about security, development and good governance.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“When we speak of effective cooperation, we must be aware that a cooperative strategy will be strongest if it is consistent and comprehensive. First, our inconsistent approach towards terrorism in the past has already strengthened terrorist groups around the world. We have to understand that these groups did not drop from the sky; the funding of terrorist groups served short-term, short-sighted policies to promote certain political agendas. However, we have seen these terrorist groups hit back, wreaking more destruction than any benefit we could have gained. We must learn from the consequences of our past and be aware of our current actions. We must uniformly and consistently work towards the eradication of terrorist groups. There should be zero tolerance for terrorism and zero support for terrorism.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“The Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan are embarking on the first real steps towards cooperation against the common threat. We hope this new atmosphere will lead to the end of sanctuaries for Al-Qaida, the Taliban and other terrorist groups and to more mutually beneficial relations between our two countries. In addition, the recent joint strategy that Afghanistan and Pakistan forged in Turkey is a critical step forward. We should also commend and fully support the cooperative work between India and Pakistan to investigate the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. The United Nations and all of its Member States must recognize the necessity of international support for regional cooperation in the pursuit of peace and security and the fight against terrorism.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“Today Afghanistan would like to call the world's attention to the overarching ideals that terrorism is seeking to destroy: moderation, coexistence and peace. Terror has an end goal: by murdering humans, it hopes to murder moderation. It hopes to provoke the leaders of the world to be careless in their anger. It aspires to create rifts between countries and drive wedges between us. It plans to murder peace and incite us to war. We cannot play out this script that the terrorists have written for us, for that is how they win. Today we can strike a great blow against terror by affirming our honest collaboration and cooperation. We can only fight terror by standing together, shoulder to shoulder. Cooperation is our key. Cooperation is how we win. We should commend the recent steps forward we have taken together.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“A few hours after the first attack in Mumbai, there was a terrorist attack in Kabul, killing and injuring tens of civilians. It is even more sobering to understand that Mumbai is only one example. For terrorists, the theatre of destruction is ever-widening: Mumbai, Kabul, Islamabad, New York, London and Madrid. In Afghanistan, the scars and the burns of terrorism stare us in the face every day. In Afghanistan, spectacular terrorism has become everyday terrorism. Terrorism undermines daily efforts on the part of our Government to provide a sense of safety for families, to provide education for our children and to create conditions for free and fair elections for our citizens. Afghans at all levels bear the day-to-day burdens of terrorism. Because of our own experience, Afghanistan participates in this debate with a great sense of urgency.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your commitment to this important debate and for chairing this meeting here today. We congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of December and for the concept paper that was circulated. We also note with great appreciation the presence of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and of the Deputy Secretary-General at today's debate. We are gathered here today to address a great common threat to international peace and security: terrorism. First and foremost, I stand with my Government and people in firmly condemning the atrocities that occurred in Mumbai almost two weeks ago. Afghanistan extends its greatest sympathies to and expresses its solidarity with our brothers and sisters in India, because we feel and understand their suffering.”
2008-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6034 (2008) · source
“After security is addressed, it is essential to recognize the importance of international involvement, regional collaboration, the inclusion of women in reconciliation processes and the need to move beyond words to action.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The gender adviser to the Afghan Ministry of the Interior has found that organizational inertia is perhaps the main cause of problems associated with gender inequity in the Government ministries. We need the political will and the genuine commitment to transform words into action. And, as the Paris Conference recently reminded us, international donors must deliver their pledged aid so that efforts to improve the standing of women can be sustained. In conclusion, in order to advance the protection of women in war and peace, the promotion of women's rights and the participation of women in peace processes, Afghanistan would like to emphasize the importance of addressing the threat of insecurity. Security is the first concern of post-conflict countries that hope to make progress in the area of women's rights.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“A successful approach to advancing women's participation in peace and security must address women's role in all major sectors of society. In Afghanistan, women's advancement must be addressed by quelling terrorism, eradicating poverty and addressing ignorance through education. Fifthly, women must be involved in reconciliation processes. Talks to consolidate peace in post-conflict settings should involve women at every stage. Such talks cannot compromise women's rights in any way and must strongly adhere to the principles of true democracy and women's political participation. Sixthly, there is a need for action, not words. Steps forward must move women's rights beyond slogans and good intentions.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In addition, their assistance is important in facilitating women's mobility in order to access water, health care and markets, and in creating the conditions for women's safe participation in the public and political life of the country. For example, in Afghanistan, international forces continue to protect roads on which women and families frequently travel to access Government services. Thirdly, regional collaboration is important. The Secretary-General's advocacy of regional action plans and regional organizations to support national commitment is fully supported by our Government. As infringements on women's rights are often cross- boundary issues, such as the spillover of women refugees from one country to another during conflict situations, solutions should also be cross-boundary. Fourthly is the importance of a cohesive approach.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“However, international partners must recognize certain factors. First, improvement should be internally driven. While international support is important for all of the aforementioned reasons, the international community should be cautioned that true reform for women's participation in peace and security should be generated within the context of the particular country. International involvement should be motivated by the needs of the women within the particular country. There should be no external imposition of standards. There should be no external political agendas. Secondly, international troops should assist national efforts to protect women. In order to ensure better protection of women's participation in peace and security, gender sensitivity training should be mandatory for troops from all countries.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“More work is needed to ensure the participation of women in all parts of the stabilization process. To continue to advance women's participation in peace and security, our country has a few observations to offer. First, international involvement is crucial. International support for national initiatives provides important gender-sensitivity training for national institutions, such as the national army and police force. Secondly, international training for women in the civil service and international support for female students in the form of schools and increased educational opportunities are also crucial. Lastly, coordinating roles, such as the role of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, are immensely helpful in coordinating activities and sharing knowledge among organizations that are working to advance women's rights.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Today, 40 per cent of children in school are girls, and 81 per cent of the population now receives health care through the Basic Package of Health Services. Forty thousand more women now live through childbirth every year. Despite those advances, Afghanistan needs to continue to do much more to meet the objectives of resolution 1325 (2000). Most immediately, the security situation continues to directly affect women's security and their access to health care, education and social protection. Continued terrorist activity by the Taliban and Al-Qaida is affecting the implementation and monitoring of all programmes and projects, especially in some southern and eastern parts of the country. In addition, poverty, the lack of education and unbalanced allocation of resources must also be addressed.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Today, women account for 27 per cent of the National Assembly and almost 26 per cent of civil servants. Habiba Sarabi, the successful female Governor of Bamiyan, is one notable example. Afghanistan has also strengthened its governmental institutions to promote women's rights. The Ministry of Women's Affairs has achieved much through its dedicated advocacy for women. The National Justice Plan of Afghanistan seeks to improve women's involvement in the justice sector, and the National Action Plan for Women in Afghanistan aims at increasing women's participation in all areas of social, economic and political life. Finally, the Government of Afghanistan, with international organizations and domestic groups, has worked tirelessly to promote women's rights in Afghanistan by improving access to health care, education and basic services.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In areas of increased Taliban activity, there are pronounced restrictions on women's mobility, attacks on girls' schools and a decrease in services for women provided by our Government and aid agencies. Despite the growing threat of insecurity, Afghanistan, with the support of the international community, has made several improvements in the participation of women in peace and security. The Government of Afghanistan has ensured that women's rights are enshrined in the Afghanistan Constitution, as well as all major international agreements such as the Afghanistan Compact and the recent Paris Declaration. In addition, women have participated in the historical process from the Bonn Conference to the elections of 2004-2005 and beyond. Women have been appointed to high positions in national and local Governments, including cabinet-level posts.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As the Secretary-General's report indicates, insecurity is the basic concern that must be addressed before true progress towards ensuring women's rights can be made. Instability affects the most vulnerable parts of the population, and women and children continue to account for the majority of casualties in hostilities. In Afghanistan, the atrocities of the Taliban threaten the progress of women. During its rule in Afghanistan, the agenda of the Taliban included a tyrannical denial of all women's basic rights - the rights to free movement, to education and to work. Today, that goal of the Taliban appears unchanged; where they advance in Afghanistan, women's rights retreat.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Thank you, Sir, for convening today's important debate on women and peace and security. My delegation commends your leadership of this Council for the month of October. I would also like to express my appreciation for the Secretary-General's comprehensive report (S/2008/622) on the progress made in implementing resolution 1325 (2000). The Government of Afghanistan is dedicated to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). However, in post-conflict countries such as Afghanistan, forces of insecurity are the greatest threat to the advancement of the three pillars of the resolution: the protection of women in war and peace, the promotion of women's rights and the participation of women in peace processes.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In turn, we hope that this Council will continue to generate the right debate - a debate that acknowledges the importance of a regional solution and of sustained international commitment; a debate that assembles, with urgency, appropriate strategies to fight effectively in this war of perceptions; and a debate that considers all of the components important to a successful political surge.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“An increase in international troops is an essential and necessary first step to counter terrorist activities. However, those troops must also be willing to face enemies and conduct operations thoroughly. They should address responsibly the issue of civilian casualties that is a challenge to our goal of winning the Afghan people's hearts and minds. We face at this time a critical opportunity to turn the tide against the forces of insecurity and instability in Afghanistan. The Government of Afghanistan will devote itself fully and completely to the quest for security and peace.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“From the members of the Ulema to tribal leaders, strong forces desire peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Thus, important steps have been taken in recent months to begin the reconciliation process. Secondly, a political surge includes not only reconciliation with interested parties, but also a strengthening of relationships with Afghan communities themselves. Such outreach by the Government of Afghanistan will be extended to communities under Taliban influence and in secure, peaceful regions. Thirdly, a political surge cannot afford to neglect the importance of military action. Afghanistan must be able to negotiate from a position of strength, which depends on the strong backing of international troops and the Afghan National Army.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Thirdly, our assessments and reports must be stronger in reflecting the destructiveness and brutality of the Taliban. We build a school in six months; they burn it down in six minutes. The Taliban are, in fact, responsible for the majority of civilian casualties in Afghanistan this year. The fourth and final aspect of the way forward is in regards to the Secretary-General's political surge in Afghanistan. Such a political surge must consider the following components to be successful. First, reconciliation efforts must be better framed both inside and outside of Afghanistan. Currently, those reconciliation efforts are portrayed as an alternative to the efforts of the past seven years. In fact, reconciliation is but another tool in our arsenal to ensure continued progress towards a stable Afghanistan.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Three things need to be done. First, we should be careful with what we say about Afghanistan. Media outlets move with astonishing speed in Afghanistan and word of mouth carries any pessimistic news quickly to the Afghan people. The Taliban have used some recent statements and reports as a powerful weapon to convince the Afghan people that the international community's resolve is wavering. That is undeniably harmful to our operations and efforts in Afghanistan. Secondly, we must not underestimate our successes. The gross domestic product of Afghanistan has tripled since 2001. In two thirds of Afghanistan, there is no conflict and millions of Afghans work and live their lives peacefully. The international community must not underreport the many success stories in Afghanistan.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Only six months into his term, we are seeing very positive results from the stronger collaboration between our Government and the United Nations. In addition, the Bucharest summit and the Paris Conference produced a strong consensus that the international community will stay engaged in Afghanistan as long as necessary, verifying international aid pledges that totalled more than $20 billion. In the seven years since international forces first entered Afghanistan, international attention has often flagged, but the new relationship with the United Nations, the Bucharest consensus and the Paris momentum are all indications that international attention is refocused. Let us sustain that attention and not lose focus again. The third important aspect of the way forward is a full consideration of how to wage a smarter war of perception.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Asif Ali Zardari, a friend and trusted leader with whom to address terrorism. Our Foreign Minister, Mr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, will visit Pakistan on 22 October to further that collaboration and discuss long-term strategic relations between the two countries. However, the international community also has the responsibility to maintain the momentum between the elected Government of Pakistan and Afghanistan by boosting joint efforts to eradicate the threat of the Taliban and Al-Qaida. Regarding the second aspect of the way forward, the Government of Afghanistan applauds the international community for its reinvigorated attention to Afghanistan. We commend Kai Eide's leadership in coordinating the efforts of the international community.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“The way forward in Afghanistan is to recognize that abandonment and failure are not options. We must stop engaging in the wrong debate of whether or not we will fail. We must instead focus on the right debate, on how we can succeed. That debate acknowledges the absolute necessity of the following four items: a regional solution; sustained international commitment; appropriate strategies in this war of perceptions; and, lastly, a consideration of all components important to a successful political solution to Afghanistan's challenges. First, it is now clear that the Taliban is a regional threat. Its base of operations is no longer in Afghanistan, but in the border regions of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. We have found in the new President of Pakistan, Mr.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Fifthly, the Afghan National Army has made significant improvements in command and control, and plans are in place to increase its numbers from 75,000 to 134,000 by 2010. The Afghan National Police has also increased its activity and is the focus of rank and pay reform. Sixthly, the Government of Afghanistan is strongly dedicated to improving the economic livelihood of every Afghan. We are building roads, schools and clinics in more than two thirds of our villages through the National Solidarity Programme. As a testament to our efforts, gross domestic product has tripled since 2001. In short, the Government of Afghanistan is making progress on many fronts. However, our goals are so ambitious as to need strong and sustained international support to be fully realized.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“The Government of Afghanistan applauds the recent decision of forces led by NATO and the International Security Assistance Force to target opium factories for the first time. Fourthly, our Government understands the tremendous importance of secure, transparent, timely and credible presidential elections in the summer of 2009. There is no alternative to elections in ensuring the legitimacy of the process in Afghanistan. To that end, we have drafted legislation on the Independent Election Commission, and we held our first day of registration last week. However, our Government also cautions that the elections require a process of sustained long-term efforts and hopes to ensure that the political process acts as a unifying, rather than as a divisive force for Afghanistan.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“President Karzai announced a reshuffling of the Cabinet, including the appointment of a new Interior Minister. That key move accompanied the creation of a High Office of Oversight to combat corruption and of special anti-corruption police and prosecutors. We are also strengthening local governance through new appointments, the training of local administrators and new incentives for accountability. Thirdly, counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan are seeing the beginning of a breakthrough. More than half of the provinces are poppy-free. The few remaining centres of poppy cultivation are in the insecure areas of Afghanistan, where international and Government efforts have been unable to put down real roots.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Real security is established through improvement in the day-to-day lives of Afghans, measured by improvement in humanitarian efforts, governance and the rule of law, counter-narcotics efforts, the upcoming elections, strong army and police forces, and a strong and sustainable economy. First, the humanitarian situation regarding the food shortage in Afghanistan needs immediate attention on the part of the international community, especially as winter approaches. The crisis has been the first topic discussed and pursued in every Afghanistan Cabinet meeting this year. Our Government hopes that the world will heed the call of the United Nations for increased international relief efforts. Secondly, three days ago, our Government took a crucial step towards improving governance and eliminating corruption.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Our Government will keep the door open to such members. Secondly, the Government of Afghanistan acknowledges the evolving strategy of the Taliban and Al-Qaida. While the world's attention was focused within the borders of Afghanistan, the Taliban and Al-Qaida intensified their operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Area border regions of Pakistan. They now hope to use the timing of the elections in the United States and Afghanistan to force a change in the international commitment in Afghanistan. Thirdly, the Taliban are fighting a war of perception. They seek to instil uncertainty about prospects for peace in Afghanistan by launching attacks of a spectacular nature - attacks that the news media can easily capture and broadcast. We must also recognize that security is not confined to military security.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Now, in 2008, despite hard work on the part of international coalition forces and Afghans alike, terrorism appears to be on the rise again. The Taliban burn down schools, stamp out reconstruction and butcher civilians. They attack roads and regions around Kabul, hampering international humanitarian relief efforts. Ordinary people are increasingly their targets. Their belligerence against true progress and security in Afghanistan is continuous, boundless and cruel. To push back against that scourge, we must first understand the changes that have occurred with regard to its sources and the strategy of the threat since 2001. First, the Government of Afghanistan recognizes that the Taliban is a heterogeneous group and that some of its members may be willing to participate in the peace process.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. We wish you every success. I would also like to express our appreciation for the convening of today's important debate and to welcome the Secretary-General's report on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security (S/2008/617). In addition, we are grateful to Mr. Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his insightful briefing. 5 Seven years ago this month, an unprecedented war was launched - a war that was not against a country or a State, but against the amorphous scourge of terrorism that was threatening to undermine security in all parts of the world. That war was unavoidable, inevitable and absolutely necessary.”
2008-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5994 (2008) · source
“The successful implementation of such a strategy requires full cooperation and coordination among the Government of Afghanistan, development partners and the United Nations agencies. We would like to call on donor countries and development agencies to assist us in achieving sustainable development, poverty eradication and good governance.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In that regard, we call on our international partners to exercise maximum caution and to enhance coordination with Afghan security forces during operations in order to avoid the loss of civilian life and ensure the safety and physical integrity of children. The protection of children in armed conflict is one of the most daunting humanitarian and security challenges that the international community faces today. Addressing the socio-economic needs of children in armed conflict and ensuring their rights requires an integrated strategy with a special focus on poverty alleviation, especially among the most vulnerable segments of our society, including widows and orphans.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Furthermore, it undermines our efforts at achieving development goals aimed at improving the living conditions of our citizens, including children, and ensures a gloomy future for our people. The state of hopelessness resulting from years of living in conflict and from poor socio-economic conditions, supported by the brainwashing indoctrination provided in madrasas across our borders are creating favourable conditions for recruiting and training innocent children to target a wide spectrum of Afghan and international civilian and military personnel. We are deeply concerned about the rising number of children killed and injured by the Taliban and other foreign terrorist groups. We would also like to express our grave concern about the loss of lives and injuries of children during counter-terrorism operations.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As Afghan and international security forces become more astute at recognizing suicide attackers, the use of children is increasing because children are not generally objects of suspicion. Child suicide bombers also constitute an effective instrument of psychological warfare because the spectre of the child attacker is as terrifying as it is incomprehensible. The intensification of the Taliban intimidation campaign through the burning of schools and clinics, the night-time dissemination of threatening notes and attacks against teachers and schoolchildren has created an atmosphere of terror and traumatizes children, which prevents them from going to school and ruins their future.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source