Annex 1
POLICY OF IRAN ON AFGHANISTAN
INTRODUCTION
The two countries of Iran and Afghanistan, as
well as having a long border, enjoy many cultural and historical
commonalities. Occupation of Afghanistan and extension of war
and turmoil in this country inflicted incalculable grief and misery
upon the people of Afghanistan and the infrastructure of that
country and also affected Iran.
One of the situations Iran was forced to face
as a result of the war in Afghanistan was the issue of coping
with millions of Afghan refugees and facing the consequences of
the trade in narcotics such as opium, morphine and heroin produced
in Afghanistan.
In view of the above, it is evident that Iran
has a vested interest in resolving the Afghan problems and helping
to restore security, stability and welfare to that country. To
achieve this, Iran has already taken long steps, as will be elaborated
upon further in the following sections.
A closer look at the stance of the Islamic Republic
of Iran in relation to Afghanistan indicates that lack of enough
attention towards requests put forward to the international community
by Iran to help adopt constructive and effective policies for
returning security and stability to that country, has in some
cases posed threats to the international community.
ASSESSMENT OF
THE CURRENT
SITUATION
A. Political developments:
Since Mr Karzai took office, despite all the
foreseeable and numerous difficulties, the developments in Afghanistan
have had an upward trend. The Government of Afghanistan has had
an active participation in international community and regional
organizations and has also made notable attempts to draw the world
attention to Afghan problems and to prevent these problems from
being put out of minds.
Holding of two Loya jirga and ratifying the
constitution of the country are two important developments in
Afghanistan. Iran has always supported these developments in all
stages. The Berlin Conference on 31 March and 1 April 2004 and
offer of donations by different countries as well as the solemn
determination of the international community for restoration of
peace and stability to Afghanistan are but a few of important
successes of the government and people of Afghanistan.
The most important issue facing the Afghan government
which requires a special attention by the world community is the
holding of presidential and parliamentary elections in September.
The process of registering the voters is advancing slowly and
the Afghan authorities in charge of administering the elections
have sought Iran's help with collecting the votes of Afghan refugees
residing in Iran, The technicalities for fulfilling this request
are now being considered in Iran.
B. Security Developments:
The southern and eastern provinces of Afghanistan
are the main regions of concentration and activity of the remaining
Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces. These are among the most insecure
regions of Afghanistan and the effect of this is quite visible
in the Eastern borders of Iran. The disarmament of Afghan militia
is proceeding slowly and a plan of action to disarm 40,000 militia
during the next two months has been drafted.
However, the realities on the ground are not
fully brought into account. Despite the fact that the insecurity
exists mainly in the south and east, disarmament is to be carried
out in the north and west which can result in a challenge for
the administration and the armed forces. Disarmament entails complexities,
part of which is rooted in Afghan culture. Therefore it is necessary
to use international supervision in replacing the present armed
militia with those of the national army of Afghanistan and to
employ the disarmed individuals in reconstruction of the country.
Rehabilitation of Afghan police and the national
army is now underway by the coordinating countries. In view of
Afghan people's sensitivity towards the presence of foreign forces
in their country the reconstruction of the national army is of
importance and in line with this policy, the speedy formation
of the army and replacement of the Provincial Reconstruction Team
(PRT) forces by the national army forces will play a very important
role in future stability of the country. The Islamic Republic
of Iran has voiced readiness to train the Afghan police and army
personnel and has been active in supporting these forces.
Production of narcotics has expanded dramatically
in Afghanistan. This is one of the most important factors undermining
security in Afghanistan which has to be dealt with adequately
through concerted international efforts. The intimate relationship
between drug money and terrorism is obvious. The financial capabilities
gained through production of narcotics plays an important role
in promoting centrifugal tendencies and destabilising the central
government. Therefore, as long as this fact is ignored, law and
order in Afghanistan will be overshadowed by drug barons. There
is currently a plan being implemented to eradicate 50% of poppy
fields. However this plan does not involve fields belonging to
commanders and influential local figures. It is estimated that
present efforts will result only in a 10-20% reduction in poppy
cultivation in the current farming year.
In fact as long as the United States, as an
existing power in Afghanistan rejects the relationship between
terrorism and its financial resources namely the drug money, there
will be no hope for any improvement in the present satiation.
In this connection, it is necessary that the relevant United Nations
organisations assume firm responsibility for close supervision
of the efforts made to eradicate poppy cultivation. Experts in
Afghan affairs believe that Britain, as the anti-drugs coordinator
in Afghanistan should take a firmer stand. Lack of a constructive
approach towards farmers' problems and a decisive action against
traffickers is directly threatening the security of Afghanistan,
the neighbouring countries and Europe.
POLICY OF
IRAN TOWARDS
AFGHANISTAN:
The strategic policy of the Islamic Republic
of Iran is to secure and promote peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The Islamic Republic of Iran regards peace and stability in Afghanistan
as being synonymous with enhanced security at its borders and
in line with strengthening her own national security. Iran's fundamental
policy towards Afghanistan is based upon an all-out support for
the transitional Islamic government of Mr Hamed Karzai. Iran has
proved this at various political stages that Afghanistan has gone
through. The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has expressed
support and satisfaction for the constructive process of nation
building in Afghanistan including the meetings of loya jirga,
ratification of the constitution and preparations for holding
elections. Iran has also expressed readiness to offer help to
the government of Afghanistan and the United Nations International
Missions in Afghanistan (UNIMA) authorities for holding elections.
The principle aim of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the formation
of a strong central government in Afghanistan with the participation
of all groups and ethnicities. Owing to the importance Iran attaches
to the stability and security in Afghanistan, she has never hesitated
to cooperate with other countries in this regard.
Official estimates of Iran's exports to Afghanistan
currently amount to 200 million US dollars. According to international
figures and the per capita income, Iran has offered the largest
amount of financial help to Afghanistan. At Kyoto summit Iran
pledged to donate 560 million US dollars over a five year period
towards reconstruction of Afghanistan. Additionally Iran was the
first country to take part in rebuilding of Afghanistan by construction
of the Herat-Dugharoon road. Continued participation by Iran in
construction of roads, building of power grids and water distribution
systems as well as promotion of health services, trade and education
are all indicative of her determination in pursuing the policy
of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
IMPORTANT POINTS
IN CONNECTION
WITH THE
POLITICAL FUTURE
OF AFGHANISTAN:
The present government of Afghanistan is the
result of the internal consensus among all groups and tribes and
is regarded as one of the important achievements of peace. Therefore,
this unity must be respected and maintained.
The Islamic Republic of Iran stresses the need
for continuation of this process and supports the ratification
of the constitution of Afghanistan and the nation building efforts
in that country. The recent Berlin summit and the signing of a
cooperation accord between the neighbouring countries to combat
drugs and also the need by donating countries to fulfil their
commitments towards Afghanistan are of particular importance.
The strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
in connection with Afghanistan has so far had a lot in common
with the policies of European countries towards Afghanistan.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has paid particular
attention to the issue of peace and stability in Afghanistan,
confronting terrorism and extremism as well as the necessity of
bringing about lasting peace in Afghanistan. Despite the double
standards shown by America in her policies, the Islamic Republic
of Iran has made every effort not to be affected by political
disputes with America in pursuit of the above goals.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has adopted a constructive
policy towards Afghanistan and therefore expects support from
countries that are participating in reconstruction of Afghanistan.
The important point to be noted here is that Afghanistan should
not become a competing ground for foreign countries and the people
of Afghanistan should not be made to pay for foreign rivalry in
their country.
The Islamic Republic of Iran suggests that in
order to fully restore peace, stability and development to Afghanistan,
an international investment fund be set up to facilitate the participation
of the private sector in reconstruction of Afghanistan with the
support of the United Nations.
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