Veleposlanik Ranko Vilovic, privremeni otpravnik poslova Stalne misije RH pri Ujedinjenim narodima, održao je govor na javnoj raspravi Vijeca sigurnosti UN-a o stanju u Afganistanu.
First of all let me express our appreciation for your contribution to the work of the Security Council in past six months, and in particularly for the manner in which you led the Council during your presidency this month. Let me also add, that professionalism, efficiency, transparency and impartiality were characterizing you throuought your distinguished career. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Let me now thank the Special Representative of the Secretary General Mr. Kai Eide, for his comprehensive briefing and for presenting the SG's report on the situation in Afghanistan. In the same vein, we would like to thank Mr. Eide for the leadership he has provided under extremely harsh circumstances. We would also like to welcome the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, Mr. Tanin, to this table.
Croatia aligns itself with the statement that will be delivered later during this debate by the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the EU. Allow me here to make some brief additional remarks.
The crucial political moment of the year, which will have a significant impact on Afghanistan's future - the presidential and legislative elections - is fast approaching. Croatia is encouraged by the adherence of the Independent Electoral Commission to the elections timetable, especially regarding voter registration and candidate vetting. We particularly welcome the growing number of women registered as Provincial Council Candidates as compared to the elections held in 2005. It is of utmost importance to secure the full participation of all Afghans in the upcoming elections as well as its absolute credibility.
In that context, Croatia strongly supports UNAMA's role in the election process, especially the technical and political incentives it has provided in close cooperation with the relevant Afghan institutions, as we believe that these incentives will considerably help in creating the conditions and atmosphere conducive for free, fair and transparent elections. In addition, we welcome the appointment of the Electoral Complaints Commission, as well as, the decision by the EU and OSCE to send an Observation Mission and Election Support Team to monitor the conduct and outcome of the elections.
Notwithstanding this positive momentum, Croatia is concerned by the deterioration of the security situation in the country, especially in the South and the East, as well as by the expansion of the insurgency in the previously calm North and fresh influx of foreign fighters in the country. On the other hand, we note with satisfaction that further progress in coordinating key Afghan security institutions is making headway, that the security situation in and around Kabul has improved and that there is a sharp decrease in the number of aid workers killed or maimed during the reporting period. We support further “Afghanization” of security operations and a continued effort to avoid civilian casualties. It is important to stress that, although we see the military effort as an important integral part of the global solution in Afghanistan, we agree with the overall assessment that military means alone will not bring final success in the country. Carefully planed and attentively implemented national reconciliation program, based on respect for Constitution and relevant UNSC resolutions, could, in our opinion, greatly contribute to this aim.
Croatia welcomes the progress made in some of the priority areas identified as essential for Afghanistan's long-term economic growth, especially agriculture, private sector development and higher education. In that context, we welcome the establishment of much needed new mechanisms aimed at better coordination and coherent allocation of resources, including the Development Assistance Database set up in order to increase aid effectiveness and to coordinate he flow of donor resources. Furthermore, we welcome the newly established UN Development Assistance Framework, which sets the course for UN action in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2013 and creates a common fund with the main aim of addressing the imbalance in assistance provided to provinces.
Croatia strongly supports so called “civilian surge” aimed at massive capacity and institution building and a comprehensive plan put forward in that regard by the Afghan government following the Hague Conference. We share the view that this new surge has to be Afghan led and primarily focused on the sub-national level. In that context, we eagerly expect the finalization of the government's priority plan and implementing mechanisms as necessary tools for the full implementation of the aforementioned strategy.
In our view, the fight against corruption remains one of the main tasks for the Afghan authorities. We therefore welcome the establishment of a specialized anti-corruption unit, as well as the development of anti-corruption plans by the recently created High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption.
The regional dimension of the problems in Afghanistan cannot be overestimated. It is self evident then that military action in Afghanistan needs to carefully take into account and adequately deal with political and military situation in neighbouring countries. At the same time, Afghanistan's economic growth is inconceivable without substantial regional interworking and cooperation. Croatia welcomes the outcomes of several recent conferences devoted to regional cooperation and their efforts to further mobilize donor support for Afghanistan. We are similarly pleased to see progress in bilateral relations between Afghanistan and its neighbours, especially Pakistan.
Mr. President, we fully understand UNAMA's current focus on the elections and its determination to include all relevant stakeholders in the development of the benchmarks as requested by resolution 1868. We support UNAMA's endeavors to undertake wide consultations on this issue and we are looking forward to a finalized set of benchmarks to be presented in the next report of the SG, due in September.
Having in mind the importance and magnitude of the tasks assigned to UNAMA, Croatia strongly supports the further strengthening of UNAMA as well as calls for additional resources in order to further expand and establish UNAMA's offices in all provinces of Afghanistan.
Priopćenja
