The Hague_(dpa) _ The Netherlands will emphasize the need for civil reconstruction at the Afghanistan conference due to take place on March 31 in The Hague, says Dutch International Cooperation Minister Bert Koenders.
In an exclusive interview with German Press Agency dpa on Friday, the Dutch minister said his country has been "proven right" when it said security and economic development in Afghanistan were closely related.
"Many people outside and inside the Netherlands initially laughed when we said, years ago, that even our military contribution to the International Security and Assistance Forces (ISAF) would be focused on civil reconstruction of Afghanistan," says Koenders.
"But today most people agree with us. Civil reconstruction lies at the basis of a lasting peace and sustainable development of Afghanistan."
The minister says that after several years of hard work, it is now time for a "wake-up call," saying: "We should create a surge in civil reconstruction. I will tell all conference participants we need to develop a strong strategy for this."
Koenders is optimistic about next Tuesday's conference results.
He says most countries understand the existing international involvement in Afghanistan should be continued. And, he says, despite the economic crisis, everyone wants to contribute.
"We, the international community, should tell Afghanistan it needs a new contract with the country to deal with civil reconstruction. With a new US president in office, I also think we can do more," says Koenders.
As far as the Dutch minister is concerned, the conference also marks an excellent opportunity to shift the balance of international involvement in Afghanistan from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the United Nations.
"Over the past years, international involvement in Afghanistan was the result of a NATO operation. Therefore the UN basically played the second fiddle and was not taken seriously. I think it is time for this to change - and so does the US."
Koenders says the UN is much better equipped to coordinate development aid in Afghanistan, both on a centralized as well as a decentralized level.
Another issue the conference should focus on, says Koenders, is the "Afghanization of public administration. We need to find ways to boost local confidence in the Afghan authorities."
One way of doing this, says Koenders, is to involve and train the local population.
"Many NGO's do not cooperate, or not sufficiently, with the local authorities. Dutch NGO's are known for involving locals more than others do - but even they should improve these efforts.
The more you involve local authorities and make them responsible for local administration, the more you can also hold them accountable for corruption, fraud and similar problems."
The Dutch will also step up their efforts to stimulate the regional economy, Koenders said.
"Afghanistan has a vast agricultural capacity," says Koenders, "but it needs investors. However, an ongoing lack of security makes international entrepreneurs reluctant to invest.
That is why the governmental support for programs that stimulate the private sector remain necessary."
Koenders says that while the Dutch military mission to Afghanistan is due to end by August 2010, the Dutch have no intention of stopping their involvement in Afghanistan's civil reconstruction.
"We have learned that in order to make a real change in a developing country, you need to make a long-term commitment. We may be a critical donor," he said referring to the caution with which the Dutch government approaches its giving, "but we are committed to Afghanistan."
Asked if the Dutch will mediate between the US and Iran, the latter of which confirmed its presence at the conference on Thursday, Koenders says "I have no idea, but this is the responsibility of my foreign affairs colleague Maxime Verhagen."
He himself will not make a special appeal upon Iran for a particular civil reconstruction project, he says.
"Iran is already involved in Afghanistan. We will seek its increased cooperation on issues like drugs and refugees - like we do with all other countries in the region." dpa rl mga jbl
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