Newsletter No. 656
News-Analysis
June 23, 2007

 

CONFERENCE ON AFGHAN ARMED GROUPS HELD IN TOKYO

As we reported in Shingetsu Newsletter No. 653, Tokyo hosted the “Conference on Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with Police Reform” on the 21st. Foreign Minister Taro Aso provided the opening remarks, and the two senior guests were Abdul Karim Khalili, Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Tom Koenigs, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan.

MOFA posted a great deal of material about this conference on their website, and I have provided all of it below.

All I can say is this: If acronyms can save a country, then the people of Afghanistan have nothing to fear -- Japan and the “international community” are working hard every day to create new ones for them (i.e. DIAG, DDR, UNAMA, MoI, SSR, NATO-ISAF, D&R, PTS, ASP, and ANBP).

MORE ON THE POSSIBLE GSDF DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN

In Shingetsu Newsletter No. 624 we outlined the moves that have made to encourage Tokyo to send a GSDF mission to Afghanistan. A recent Kyodo News report adds a bit more on this. At a meeting at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, visiting Afghan Vice-President Abdul Karim Khalili was quoted as follows: “Whether to dispatch the SDF or not is what (the) Japanese people should decide on, but our friend Japan's support is very important for Afghanistan's reconstruction, development, disbandment of illegal armed groups and other areas. We would very much like to receive support.”

In addition to this new information, I also happened to run across a much older story that forms a prelude to the current situation.

On June 1, 2002, while attending an Asian security conference in Singapore sponsored by Britain’s International Institute for Strategic Studies, then-U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz spoke to then-Japan Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani about the possibility of sending GSDF “medical and construction units” to Afghanistan.

It would seem that Nakatani politely rebuffed the request citing the fact that security in Afghanistan remained uncertain and that the GSDF could not be allowed to engage in military action.

Welcoming Remarks by H.E. Mr. Taro Aso: The Conference on Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with Police Reform
21 June 2007

Your Excellency Mr. Khalili, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. Koenigs, Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan,Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honor today to hold the "Conference on Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with Police Reform." In January 2002, Japan hosted the "International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan." Five years have passed since the conference. The nation-building of Afghanistan is making steady progress towards the realization of peace, stability and democracy. Among many steps forward, the completion of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) is the achievement of which the Government of Afghanistan can be most proud. DDR was initiated at the Tokyo Conference in February 2003. It ended successfully with the strong determination of the Government of Afghanistan and the cooperation of the international community.

While these achievements are indeed important steps towards the stabilization of Afghanistan, we still face many challenges. In particular, it is the unfortunate truth that the weak governance of the Afghan government still hinders the country's reconstruction. Therefore, the success of DIAG is a matter of urgency. With DIAG, the Afghan government can extend its centralized authority to local provinces and establish the rule of law across the country. In addition, we must keep in mind that DIAG makes local Afghan people much safer. DIAG is a vital program, since it reintegrates armed groups into civil society. A number of difficulties stand in the way of the success of DIAG, as it links to social structure. In 1876, Japan also has a history of issuing a government order to ban the wearing of a sword by the samurai warriors. It was significant reform for Japan, in that swords were the symbol of the samurais who enjoyed the highest social status long time by then. There indeed were a lot of resistance and revolts by the samurais opposing the order. Japan went through this process, and then became a modern state and a rule-based society. Foundation of our current prosperity and a world-renowned safe society lies in here.

Fortunately, DIAG has gained overwhelming support of the Afghan people, who are striving for a peaceful society without militia groups or weapons. I heard that President Karzai has received many letters from Afghan people strongly asking for solid DIAG implementation. Also, I was told that when he visited Ghazni province, many voices were heard saying "we want to live under the rule of law." In response to the people's voice, President Karzai affirmed his strong commitment to DIAG at the "Second Tokyo Conference on Consolidation of Peace in Afghanistan" in July last year. We highly appreciate the increasing ownership of the Afghan Government since then.

Japan is committed to the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan. We will continue providing assistance to the Afghan Government and people, as they determine to reconstruct their country on their own. In addition to the assistance already rendered, amounting to more than 1.2 billion dollars, Japan intends steady implementation of remaining 250 million dollars pledged at the London Conference in early 2006. Especially for DDR and DIAG, we have assisted actively through policy coordination and ODA, amounting 135 million dollars. We will make further active efforts in establishing a sustainable DIAG implementation mechanism. That includes the establishment of a DIAG division in the Ministry of the Interior.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With today's conference, DIAG moves from the initial two-year preparation stage into the full-fledged operational stage. In this new phase, DIAG needs to be coordinated with other relevant sectors. These sectors include police reform, counter-narcotics efforts and rural development. Above all, the coordination with police reform is essential. There will be no success in DIAG without the support of the police force. Through today's discussion, I look forward to your thorough consideration of how the coordination with other sectors should be exercised, and a future plan be made.

I shall now close my opening remarks with the hope that this conference will have a productive outcome. Thank you.

Co-Chair's Summary: The Conference on Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with Police Reform
21 June 2007

The Conference on Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG) for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with the Police Reform was held on 21 June 2007 in Tokyo, under the co-chairmanship of Japan, Afghanistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Conference was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, along with the opening statement by H.E. Mr. Mohammad K. Khalili, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, followed by H.E. Mr. Tom Koenigs, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan. Representatives from 13 states and 6 international organizations attended the Conference. The Participants of the Conference reaffirmed their strongest commitment to the stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan, and stressed their support for Afghanistan's nation-building efforts under its ownership.

The Participants examined the current situation of DIAG and appreciated the progress achieved so far in accordance with President Karzai's firm commitment demonstrated at "The Second Tokyo Conference on Consolidation of Peace in Afghanistan" on 5 July, 2006. In this regard they welcomed the launch of a new Action Plan of DIAG, the process of establishing a DIAG Unit inside the Ministry of Interior (MoI) whose responsibilities include DIAG-related activities, weapons registration, regulation of security companies. The participants agreed on the necessity to secure personnel, infrastructure, equipment, and budget that enable DIAG division to function in a sustainable and independent manner and reaffirmed that international community would support such efforts. They commended Afghanistan's national ownership in DIAG program as reflected in these developments.

Coordination between DIAG, Police Reform, and other Security Sector Reform (SSR):

The Participants also discussed the challenges facing the DIAG operations such as security, narcotics, poverty, unemployment and above all weak institutional capacity of law enforcement and security institutions. They reaffirmed the importance of a comprehensive approach to implementation and agreed to closely coordinate DIAG, police reform and other security sector reforms (SSR) activities. They encouraged the Government of Afghanistan to:

-- Focus attention on the coordination between DIAG and the police reform, while putting emphasis upon more visible, effective efforts to be made in such areas as public information, training of policemen, strengthening of provincial and district administration;

-- Carefully formulate an effective enforcement plan among the national and international agencies with Afghan National Police playing a leading role in producing and implementing such a plan; to be strongly supported by the NATO International Security Assistance Force (NATO-ISAF).

-- Quickly deploy additional police forces in areas where DIAG has been enforced, so as to consolidate the gains achieved through the program and enable development activities to commence;

-- Take strong measures against Government officials engaged in drug trafficking and other criminal activities through the relevant mechanisms such as the Advisory Panel on Senior Appointments and the Ministry of Interior selection boards;

-- Deregister political parties and disqualify parliamentarians found to maintain armed wings or groups;

-- Formulate a better mechanism of information sharing among the security agencies and making efforts to achieve better coordination and collaboration with counter-narcotics.

The Participants called upon the neighboring countries to contribute to preventing smuggling of weapons into Afghanistan and reaffirmed the necessity of establishing an appropriate strategy in this regard in an urgent manner.

The Participants appreciated the initiatives taken by the United States, European Union, Canada and Norway in deploying police mentors and expressed the need for additional mentors, particularly at the provincial and district levels. The Participants agreed upon the need for consistent support to DIAG from NATO-ISAF and its contributing countries. The Participants further recommended that attention be paid to the linkages between DIAG and rule of law issues during the Rome Conference, on 3 July 2007.

Reintegration and Roles of Community

The Participants pointed out the importance of a smooth transition from disbandment to development, welcomed the launch of DIAG projects in Kapisa, and encouraged the Government of Afghanistan to strive for the following:

-- Fully scrutinizing the socioeconomic factors before/during/after DIAG and making utmost efforts in integrating those who surrender their weapons and accept the authority of Government of Afghanistan into civilian life;

-- Enhancing the visibility of the Afghan Government's efforts and seriousness in DIAG through establishing all District Development Assemblies expeditiously and implementing development projects smoothly in the areas upon which Disarmament and Reintegration Commission (D&R Commission) has put great emphasis;

-- Establishing a mechanism to commend and encourage governors and/or local government officials for their endeavors in implementing DIAG;

-- Strengthening the existing coordination between DIAG and the National Reconciliation Program (Program Tahkim-e Solh, or PTS) in weapons collection, reintegration, and other relevant efforts;

-- Ensuring that senior government officials support the program through visits to the provinces and districts;

-- Ensuring that community needs are met through decentralized decision-making during the identification of DIAG projects, through the District Development Assemblies;

-- Transparency in the implementation of the program and engaging civil society in public education, reintegration, and monitoring.

The Participants reaffirmed the necessity of empowering the D&R Commission and the DIAG Provincial Committees. The Participants recommended investing the necessary resources in and extending logistical support through existing programs, such as the Afghanistan Stability Program (ASP) and the Afghanistan New Beginnings Program (ANBP). The Participants further welcomed the establishment of the outreach fund for provincial governors and called upon donors to accelerate the process.

Partnership of the Afghanistan Government and the International Community

The representatives of the International Community reaffirmed their support for the DIAG, including the transition to full Afghan ownership;

The Participants agreed upon the need for sharing of information so as to ensure accurate targeting of illegal armed groups and prioritization of those actively involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

The Participants expressed their deep appreciation to the Government of Japan for hosting this Conference and welcome its continued support for the Afghan-led DIAG process.

Meeting between Mr. Taro Aso and Mr. Abdul Karim Khalili, Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
June 22, 2007

On June 20 (Wed), Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with Mr. Abdul Karim Khalili, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for about 40 minutes from 17:00. The gist of the meeting is as follows.

1. Mr. Aso welcomed Mr. Khalili’s visit to Japan, and Mr. Khalili said:

(1) The reconstruction of Afghanistan started at the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan in January 2002 hosted by Japan. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of my government I would like to express my appreciation to Japan for its great support to my country. I hope for your country’s continued support.

(2) I appreciate Japan’s active support for the disbandment of the illegal armed groups (DIAG). I highly value Japan’s initiative in holding the “Conference on DIAG for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with Police Reform” tomorrow. DIAG is of particularly high interest among the people in Afghanistan, and is strongly supported by them.

(3) Afghanistan is in the process of reconstruction, while the fight against terrorism is still going on. I appreciate Japan’s contribution to the fight against terrorism and the stabilization of Afghanistan, through the deployment of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean. I hope for its continued contribution.

2. Mr. Aso said:

(1) Japan has been actively supporting your country by the dispatch of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Indian Ocean and ODA of more than 1.2 billion dollars. Japan intends to continue its support with steady assistance of 250 million dollars in the fields of rural development, DIAG, improvement of infrastructure such as roads, and human resources development. Japan would also like to contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan as the chair country of the G8 Summit Meeting next year.

(2) Particularly, success of DIAG is an urgent issue so as to extend the central government’s authority to the provinces and to establish the rule of law throughout the country.

(3) Reconstruction without the recovery of security is difficult and thus the process of stabilization and reconstruction of your country should not be turned back. This year is a crucial time and I strongly look forward to your efforts.

Talks between Mr. Taro Aso and Mr. Tom Koenigs, Special Representative of UN Secretary General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
June 22, 2007

On June 20, Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Tom Koenigs, Special Representative of UN Secretary General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), held talks for about 20 minutes from 5:55 p.m. The gist of the talks is as follows:

1. Mr. Koenigs firstly appreciated Japan’s contribution extended so far for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and highly valued especially its support for the UNAMA and activities in the UN Headquarters in New York. He also expressed his intention to further expand UNAMA’s activities in Afghanistan.

2. In response, Mr. Aso said that by successfully making the process of DIAG (Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups), one of the pillars of Japan’s assistance to Afghanistan, Japan expected that the dignity of the Government of Afghanistan and the civil order to be restored through widely spreading the authority of the central government to the provinces.

3. On other matters, Mr. Aso and Mr. Koenigs exchanged opinions on the security situation and they shared the view on the necessity to reform police in promoting DIAG.