Summary
As a result of 30 years of conflict Afghanistan is
one of the poorest countries in the world and will not meet any
of the Millennium Development Goal targets in 2015. The UK and
the international community have a responsibility to assist Afghanistan
to achieve lasting peace, stability, reconstruction and development.
We support fully the UK Government's effort in Afghanistan and
the priority which it attaches to these goals.
Despite the difficulties it faces, Afghanistan has
made significant progress in governance, economic growth, health
and education. Such achievements deserve to be recognised. However
Afghanistan will need substantial development assistance for a
long time. DFID and the international community have a vital role
to play in this regard.
Increasing insecurity and the continuing insurgency
are threatening the reconstruction effort in many parts of Afghanistan.
The role of NATO forces in building up a capable Afghan security
sector is thus important. Cooperation with Pakistan in controlling
the borders more effectively is also essential to stop the supply
of Taliban recruits. There is no easy solution to the security
problems—a long-term commitment is required.
Since our visit last October, a number of developments
have highlighted to us that the political situation in Afghanistan
and the relationship between the Government of Afghanistan (GoA)
and the international community could become increasingly fragile.
The civilian and military international effort is entirely dependent
on the goodwill of the Government and people of Afghanistan. Whilst
the Government of Afghanistan is fully entitled to criticise the
international effort, in relation to the UK contribution we are
concerned that the tone and timing of the GoA's recent comments
may risk undermining British public support for the UK's long-term
commitment to Afghanistan.
It is clear to us that without tangible improvements
in people's lives the insurgency will not be defeated. Such improvements
need to be led by Afghan institutions. This means increasing the
capacity of the Government of Afghanistan to deliver services
throughout the country. Reforms of government structures at the
sub-national level are crucial because the rural areas are precisely
where insurgents are recruited and poppy cultivation is greatest.
The creation of an Independent Directorate of Local
Governance is a step in the right direction and clarification
of the role of Provincial Governors should be a priority. Community
Development Councils have been an effective mechanism for ensuring
local ownership of development projects
The opium trade is controlled by powerful criminal
gangs who operate with impunity in a lawless environment and therefore
support the insurgency. Small farmers grow poppies because the
drug traders come to their farm to buy the crop. It is difficult
to transport other crops—even high-value, low-volume crops
like saffron or mint—to market because the roads are not
safe. It is not surprising that poor farmers consider poppy cultivation
to be an attractive choice in a high-risk environment and in the
absence of other meaningful options for earning a living. Expectations
that poppy cultivation will be reduced over a short period are
therefore misplaced. Crop eradication by aerial spraying risks
increasing insecurity in already insecure provinces. Instead there
is a desperate need for an integrated counter-narcotics strategy
which provides irrigation, credit, infrastructure and alternative
employment opportunities. The strategy must also include criminal
prosecution of big traders and extension of the rule of law to
rural areas.
The position of women in Afghan society has improved
since the fall of the Taliban but these gains could easily be
lost. Insufficient attention has been paid to this by the donor
community. There is a dangerous tendency to accept in Afghanistan
practices which would not be countenanced elsewhere, because of
what is described as the particular "culture" and "tradition"
of the country. We believe the rights of women should be upheld
equally in all countries. The Government of Afghanistan has a
vital role to play in this by ensuring that the international
human rights commitments which it has made are fully honoured.
The UK effort in Helmand is a joint civilian-military
one. Under difficult circumstances the Provincial Reconstruction
Team is working to improve its operational practice and to try
new methods of working. We commend this effort. However progress
in Helmand will ultimately depend on building local capacity and
winning local consent. The Taliban are not an homogenous group
and some have already come over to the Government side. Efforts
at disarmament and reintegration should continue.
The UK Government's commitment to working in Afghanistan
must be reflected in appropriate training, support and working
conditions for civilian staff.
Progress in training the Afghan National Army has
been good. Similar progress has not been made with the Afghan
National Police and this threatens the establishment of the rule
of law.
Commitments made by the international donor community
to channel funding through Government of Afghanistan structures
have not been met. The use of parallel structures and foreign
contractors dilutes significantly the beneficial impact of aid.
Donor coordination would have been strengthened by the appointment
of a high-level UN Special Representative and we are dismayed
that plans for this have been so far been blocked by the Government
of Afghanistan.
We were frequently told that the people of Afghanistan
are uncertain about the future, the long-term commitment of the
international community and the consequent resilience of national
institutions. Greater donor co-ordination and support for the
Government of Afghanistan would help meet these concerns
.
| 
