Interview with foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah

A year ago the changes that have taken place in Afghanistan would have been unthinkable. In a special interview with IRIN to commemorate the 11 September attacks, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said his country needed to build on the achievements of the past 12 months, maintain international interest in reconstruction and take its historic place once again at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. QUESTION: Things have changed very rapidly in a year, the world is very much a different place, how has Afghanistan's foreign policy reflected those changes? ANSWER: Of course, it is a new phase for our foreign policy, and it is a very unique phase. It is a phase where Afghanistan does not have enemies around it. All countries surrounding Afghanistan have good and friendly relations with the country. There is a strong partnership with the international community, with the West, with the Islamic world, with the Arab world. For the first time in this region, this foreign policy can be utilised to promote stability in this region. Afghanistan is now an active member of the international community. It has engaged the international community in different fields of security, stability and reconstruction of the country. The aim and the objective of the foreign policy is to promote stability and bring prosperity to Afghanistan through development and reconstruction. Q: With regard to regional cooperation, would you like to focus on South Asia or Central Asia? Given the fact that geographically Afghanistan is part of Central Asia, but it has always gravitated towards South Asia? A: Rather than gravitating to one side or another, Afghanistan can play a junction role, like a crossroads between east and west, north and south. For example, if you take transit and trade, the transit of energy, Afghanistan has this potential that its geographical location is such that it can play a sort of interconnecting role between those two regions. Q: There is much talk of a US attack on Iraq, what implications do you see for Afghanistan if that happens? A: As a country that has suffered because of the war, we must say that the use of force should be the last resort. Secondly, while we are fully aware of [the issue of the] compliance of Iraq with the UN Security Council resolutions and the issue of inspectors, we feel that Iraq should comply with those demands of the international community. At the same time, our main concern will be about the people of Iraq. Saddam Husayn is one thing and the people of Iraq are another. The people should be protected in any decision that is made about Iraq. Q: You will be travelling to New York this week to attend the annual UN summit. What are your expectations of the trip? A: There we will bring the issue of Afghanistan to the attention of the rest of the world. There will be bilateral meetings, as well as addresses to General Assembly, as well as other groups such as the Friends of Afghanistan, OIC [Organisation of Islamic Conference] and the Non-Aligned Movement by President Karzai. There will be a meeting between President Karzai and President Bush, President Karzai and the UN Secretary-General. We hope to achieve a lot during those meetings. Q: Given the fact that neighbouring states and international powers have been constantly interfering in Afghanistan, how optimistic are you about the future of the country? A: Now the situation has changed. Now the neighbouring countries, the powers in the region and powers beyond the region should have realised that interference in negative ways has not solved problems. It has complicated the problems, while engagement in positive way like what the coalition forces and the ISAF is doing here has produced good results. To maintain that spirit is in our common interest, why not do it? Q: International aid has been tied closely to the security conditions of the country. How do you see the security situation developing? A: Not all countries tie the support or assistance with the security circumstances, because those countries realise that security cannot be ensured or provided for that reconstruction or sort of developmental activities. While security has improved to a large extent, efforts in creating national security institutions have already started, and we will continue with that. The role of ISAF and coalition forces in security and stability is important for this country, At the same time, we should not wait until everything is ideal in this country. We should provide the environment for security, which comes through creating jobs for the people. Q: To improve the security situation in the country, do you favour the extension of ISAF? A: Yes, I think the extension of ISAF to the rest of the country will be very useful. It will help in security and stability. It will create a new sense of security and stability throughout the country, but that should not be considered as the only measure needed. At the same time, the support for the creation of a national army and national security institutions is a must by the international community. Q: How large an Afghan army you would like to see? A: I think two things should not be mixed [up]: one is the existing armed forces, one is the national army. The size of the national army could be something like 80,000 people; it should be a defence mobile army. Of course, demobilisation is a programme that has to be carried out throughout the phase of reconstruction. If the people have other opportunities apart from carrying arms, they will do that. Q: Recently there has been some criticism by members of your government of the ways international aid is distributed in the country. What is your assessment of the issue? A: I will emphasise on it in a positive way. First of all, the speed in not up to the scale and dimensions of the problem which we are dealing with. This has to change. Secondly, it has to be realised that the time is very important. One dollar today might mean 100 dollars three years later. Thirdly, the international community has invested a lot, with a little bit more investment in this situation, one can ensure the future of this country. My fourth point is that Afghanistan is not a country which will need aid for ever. We need aid for a short period of time to enable us to build the capacity and be able to use the potentials that exist in this country for development and reconstruction. Q: Afghanistan has signed the 1998 treaty on establishing an International Criminal Court. Are you going to ratify the treaty, and what are its implications for the country? A: Of course we will rectify the treaty, and we are a signatory to that treaty. In Afghanistan, war crimes have been committed on several occasions, and Afghanistan is the best place to be in the forefront of that endeavour as far as the International Criminal Court is concerned. Q: You have recently visited Pakistan and released many Pakistani prisoners, How do you see the relations developing with that country, keeping in view your past statements about Al-Qaeda and Taliban being in hiding there? A: Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders are not only a problem for Afghanistan, they could be a problem for everybody. From one side, it is a domestic issue for Pakistan to deal with it, and Pakistan has made commitments in the continuation of the campaign against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. I think the continuation of those commitments is extremely important for us a neighbouring country, and for Pakistan itself for security and stability. I recently saw reports about the capturing of Al-Qaeda people here and there, and this is a testimony to what we said about their presence there. Pakistan is committed, but a lot of focus has to be made, it has to be a priority really.