Annex B: Letter to the Secretary of State
for International Development
Letter to the Secretary of State for International
Development from the Chairman of the International Development
Committee, 20 November 2007
As you know, the International Development Committee
is currently conducting an inquiry into Afghanistan which included
a seven-day visit to the country at the end of October. We are
very grateful for the assistance we received from DFID staff in
organising a programme which enabled us to meet a wide range of
key people in Kabul, Helmand and Balkh and to visit local development
projects.
We had hoped to report our findings to the House
early in the new year. We have, however, noted the Prime Minister's
comments in the debate on the Queen's Speech on 6 November that
he intends to make a statement on Afghanistan, including on the
Government's proposals for development there, in the next few
weeks. We may therefore need to adjust the timescale for the rest
of inquiry to ensure we take full account of any change in Government
policy. As you are aware, this has also affected the timing of
the oral evidence which you have agreed to provide.
Our visit and evidence to date have enabled us to
form some preliminary views on the key issues affecting development
in Afghanistan and we wished to make these known to you now so
that they can inform the Government's current discussions.
- The UK's role:
we believe that it is right for the UK to be involved in Afghanistan
and that this should be a long-term commitment. This needs to
be restated to both the UK and the Afghan people.
- Donor activity: there
is a problem of perception in that the Afghan people do not appreciate
the full scope and scale of what the international community,
and the UK specifically, is contributing in terms of aid and development.
This communication problem needs to be addressed and the Afghan
people need to be properly informed about how donor funds are
being spent.
- Relationship with the Government of Afghanistan:
the international community must operate in Afghanistan in a way
that strengthens rather than undermines the Government of Afghanistan
(GoA). One important aspect of this is ensuring that Provincial
Reconstruction Teams and donors align their work programmes with
the priorities of the GoA and regularly consult with the relevant
Afghan institutions.
- Civil/military co-operation: the
balance between military engagement and civil and development
activities needs to be reassessed. It is important that the pace
of military engagement does not exceed the capacity of local governance
structures and civil society in relation to stabilisation and
development activities.
- Sub-national governance:
Community Development Councils are an important building-block
of local governance and much has been gained from the involvement
of local people in development projects from which they directly
benefit. It is not yet clear, however, what their future role
will be nor how they might fit into provincial and district structures
whose own roles need to be clarified and their institutions strengthened.
- Women: insufficient
progress is being made on the status and rights of women who are
too often the victims of domestic violence and who are not yet
properly protected by the justice system.
- Counter-narcotics:
this is a complex issue which requires a multifaceted approach.
Tackling poppy cultivation is inextricably linked to better governance,
economic growth, improved security and rural development in its
broadest sense. Alternative crops can only be one element in any
effective strategy.
- Afghan National Army:
the Army is making good progress towards being an effective force
and should be capable of some independent operations in the next
three or four years but the continued support of the international
community will be needed, particularly for logistical and medical
support and for operational back-up.
- Police: lack of training
and corruption are significant obstacles to the Afghan police
being an effective, national force capable of providing the necessary
security for people to go about their daily lives. Lack of security
is impeding development and diminishing the people's faith in
government. This needs to be addressed.
- Justice: insufficient
progress has been made in establishing a state justice system
which the Afghan people trust. They are resorting to traditional
and informal justice systems which may not support the rights
of women and children. Disillusion with state justice may also
increase local support for the Taliban and other insurgent groups.
- UK civilian effort:
given the difficulties of travel within Afghanistan, UK efforts
would be assisted by the provision of a dedicated aeroplane for
use by DFID and British Embassy staff.
I am copying this letter to the Prime Minister, the
Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence.
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