Aid organisations call for strengthened security

In one of the broadest appeals made to date, nearly 80 humanitarian, human rights and conflict prevention groups have come together to call for an expanded stabilisation security role for NATO as it prepares to take over peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan in early August. "It demonstrates the growing concern of the aid community about insecurity in the country," Paul O'Brien, the advocacy coordinator for CARE International, one of the 79 organisations signatory to the petition, told IRIN from the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Tuesday. "You know that insecurity is not new and it's not a surprise, but it is making our work extremely difficult," he said. In a statement sent to NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday, the NGOs urged the international community to expand the 5,000 strong, UN-mandated multinational force to extend beyond the confines of Kabul into the provinces and major highways connecting the country's cities. They also called on NATO to provide support for a comprehensive programme of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of militia forces outside the control of the government, and the accelerated recruitment and training of the new Afghan National Army (ANA) and police force. The statement added that the fledgling Afghan government in Kabul needed more support and resources to ensure peace and security in the country. It warned that unless this was effected, insecurity would eventually obstruct reconstruction efforts, and the Bonn peace process risked a collapse with the proposed elections for next year being jeopardised. The statement follows increasing lawlessness and factional fighting, with almost daily attacks on civilians, aid workers, peacekeepers or government targets by insurgent groups, criminal elements and rogue warlords. In one of the worst incidents of its kind a suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying German international peacekeeping forces in Kabul on 9 June, killing four soldiers and wounding 31. Although NATO officially declined to comment on the move, a source in its Brussels headquarters told IRIN that they would consider such an option once it was approved by the UN. "We are monitoring the situation... and at present such an expansion is not considered," he said. Recently, after the two high-level summits in Madrid and Brussels, NATO reiterated its commitment to lead the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), but gave no indication of any expansion. The source added that after taking the command on the ground, ISAF commanders could recommend changes for consideration by the North Atlantic Council, which is NATO's highest decision-making body. "It may or may not happen," he said. While acknowledging Afghanistan's security concerns, the US-led military coalition is working to train the ANA and on introducing the Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRTs), which are to provide security as well as undertaking reconstruction. In the past, NGOs have criticised the PRTs for lacking experience in humanitarian work and not being impartial and independent. But aid workers call for more action. "The Afghan security solution is a few years away from realisation, and we are asking the international policy makers to take their heads out of the sand," O'Brien stressed. "We know that peacekeeping is dangerous and expensive, but ignoring that in Afghanistan could cost lives." Meanwhile, addressing an open session of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, a top UN official called on the international community to beef up deployment of security forces, because insecurity was threatening Afghanistan's entire political process. "Further deployment of international security elements, of a reasonable size and able to project credible strength, are needed to provide the security environment and confidence for the Bonn process to move forward to its natural conclusion," UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean-Marie Guéhenno told the Council.