Security Council Expresses Concern At Security Conditions In Afghanistan
The members of the United Nations Security Council today expressed serious concern at the deterioration of security in
many areas of Afghanistan and the recent attacks on UN and other personnel of aid organizations, and called on all
concerned to work towards peace.
"Members of the Council underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan and called on all
actors in Afghanistan to work together with the international community to ensure the success of the peace process," the
Council's President, Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan, said in a http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sc7753.doc.htm statement to the press following the 15-nation body's open meeting on Afghanistan.
During the meeting, Lakhdar Brahimi, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told the Council that
the Bonn Peace Agreement was challenged by the unstable security environment, which stems from daily harassment and
intimidation, inter-ethnic and inter-factional strife, increases in the activity of elements linked to the Taliban and
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, and the drugs economy.
Members of the Council reiterated their support for the efforts of the Afghan Transitional Administration and UNAMA to
implement the Bonn process, Ambassador Akram told the press. He added that the Transitional Authority "must receive
adequate support from the international community."
Ambassador Akram said Council Members noted important tasks set out by the government for this year that need to be
supported and completed successfully, such as reforms in the security sector and the extension of central government
authority to all parts of Afghanistan.
In addition, he said the building of the new national army and police, the constitutional process and the registration
of voters in advance of holding of national elections next year are also key.
Ambassador Akram said the Council also called on donors to support generously the reconstruction programmes and the
various bodies working towards the peace process.