Swedish diplomat named UN mission chief in Afghanistan - Summary

Wed, 27 Jan 2010

New York - Stefan de Mistura, a veteran UN troubleshooter, was named head of the UN mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who selected de Mistura to replace outgoing Norwegian Kai Eide, said the Swedish diplomat will take over on March 1.

De Mistura previously headed the UN mission in Iraq and held other important UN assignments.

Ban said Afghanistan is reaching a turning point in its struggle for survival and its population want a "larger say" in running the country. An international conference on Afghanistan was to take place in London on Thursday, which Ban will attend.

"Looking ahead, we need a more balanced approach," Ban said. "Our civilian strategy cannot be an add-on to the military strategy."

He explained that civilian organizations, like the UN, and the military should retool their cooperation in their joint efforts to help the Kabul government settle the war in the country and bring about peace and development.

Ban told reporters before leaving for London that the international community should give the Kabul government a "clear picture" about what and how much it could provide in term of assistance to foster peace, stability and economic development.

"At the same time, the international community expects President (Hamid) Karzai to come up with a strong compact in areas of good governance, how to fight corruption and enhance human rights," said Ban, who will meet Karzai in London.

The London conference will be followed by another in Kabul in two months.

Ban said he was encouraged by Karzai's attempts reconcile with Afghan parties that do not share his policy, including some Taliban members who would break up with the insurgent group and cut all ties with al-Qaeda.

Kabul apparently has asked a UN Security Council sanctions panel to remove the names of Taliban members who would join the Afghan government from the UN list of terrorist suspects subject to UN sanctions.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/306202,swedish-diplomat-named-un-mission-chief-in-afghanistan--summary.html.