Iran, US Find Common Cause In Afghan Reconstruction
At a conference on stabilizing a country rocked by the Taliban-led insurgency, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both said dialogue with moderate members of the Islamist movement could be the best way to halt the violence.
In a rare meeting of minds, Clinton and Iran's deputy foreign minister stressed their support for projects to rebuild Afghanistan as well as end its reputation as the epicenter of the global heroin trade.
"Trafficking in narcotics, the spread of violent extremism, economic stagnation (in Afghanistan) are regional challenges that will require regional solutions," said Clinton.
She was addressing Karzai, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and representatives of 90 countries and organizations meeting in The Hague.
Iran was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Mehdi Akhoondzadeh, who said the Islamic republic was willing to take part in international efforts for Afghanistan.
"Iran is fully prepared to participate in the projects aimed at combatting drug trafficking and the plans in line with developing and reconstructing Afghanistan," he told delegates.
Afghanistan, as well as serving as a breeding ground for militants, is the source of 90% of the world's heroin.
No meeting was planned between Akhoondzadeh and Clinton at the conference, officials said.
In a sign that Tehran and Washington are far from reconciled on Afghanistan, Akhoondzadeh warned that the deployment of foreign troops was not improving security there.
"The presence of foreign forces has not improved things in the country and it seems that an increase in the number of foreign forces will prove ineffective too," Akhoondzadeh said.
Despite their rivalry, the U.S. and Shiite-majority Iran are both sworn enemies of the Taliban, a Sunni Muslim militia initially backed by Pakistan that ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
Clinton backed Kabul's plans to hold reconciliation talks with members of the Taliban or former al Qaeda supporters who reject violence.
"They should be offered an honorable form of reconciliation and reintegration into a peaceful society, if they are willing to abandon violence, break with al Qaeda, and support the constitution."
Karzai also reaffirmed his intention to seek dialogue with repentant extremists.
"We must spare no effort to bring back to Afghanistan and to normal life all those from the ranks of the Taliban who have no association with al Qaeda and are willing to embrace peace and accept the constitution," he said.
Obama has put Pakistan at the center of his new Afghan strategy, and on Tuesday Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi vowed not to disappoint his U.S. ally.
"Today more than ever before, the Pakistani nation stands firm in its resolve to combat this menace (Islamic militancy). Our people are motivated, our armed forces galvanized and our resources mobilized," he said in The Hague.
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Publié le 31 mars 2009 Copyright © 2009 Dowjones
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