UN ready to assist Kabul's legislative elections, transition

Mar 18, 2010, 17:32 GMT

New York - The United Nations said Thursday it would provide assistance to Afghanistan's parliamentary elections in the fall, in a further step to prepare the government to take charge of its own affairs.

The National Assembly elections in September will be preceded by a traditional Afghan-style assembly of tribal leaders known as a Peace Jirga in April to be followed by an international donor conference in Kabul. The Afghan government is scheduled to take full responsibility of its affairs in five years.

The UN Security Council held a debate on the Afghan situation in New York, during which the chief of UN peacekeeping operations, Alain Le Roy, said the crowded political calendar from April to September is happening as the US military surge has intensified its anti- Taliban fight.

'There is a risk that the concept of transition, on which we have collectively agreed to pin our political and security in Afghanistan, will be overtaken by such events,' Le Roy said.

Le Roy called for focusing on ensuing success in the 'Afghanization' process.

The UN mission in Afghanistan 'stands ready to play a role' in the organization of the legislative elections, he said.

Afghan UN Ambassador Zahir Tanin said the Afghan National Army and police are expected to gradually take over security responsibilities now in the hands of international military forces comprising the NATO-led security forces under UN mandate and the US-led military operations.

'This turnover will begin as soon as possible, and, with the help of the international community, Afghans will bear full responsibility in five years,' Tanin said.

Tanin said the first step before the Afghan takeover is to reverse the Taliban's military momentum and improve security. He said the second step will be reconciliation of Afghan parties in order to build peace and stability.