Summary: November 13, 2001: Intervention on behalf of the European Union by H.E.M. Louis Michel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium. The situation in Afghanistan (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, align themselves with this statement.
Allow me, first of all, Mr. President, to extend my thanks to the Security Council and more particularly to its Presidency, for having organized this open discussion at a time when the situation in Afghanistan is undergoing considerable developments. The Northern Alliance has entered Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul. When the Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, has reported to the Security Council and the Security Council is preparing to adopt a resolution in support of the
efforts of the United Nations and Mr. Brahimi in Afghanistan, this session provides the international community as a whole with the opportunity to make its voice heard.
I wish immediately to re-state the European Union's support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative. The Union will look favorably on any recommendations which Mr. Brahimi may draw up and we salute his efforts to date. I also wish to stress that the European Union remains ready to participate actively, under the aegis of the United Nations, in the quest for a political solution and in the subsequent reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Mr. President,
All of us here agree that terrorism is a real challenge for the whole world. The European Union has, on several occasions, expressed its total solidarity with the American people and Government. It has also made it a priority objective to combat the scourge of terrorism. We are convinced that this fight requires as wide an international coalition as possible, under the aegis of the United Nations. This organization remains the most appropriate forum for reinvigorating and reinforcing the
efforts to eliminate international terrorism. By holding yesterday's ministerial discussion and adopting a resolution, the Security Council has highlighted this fact once again and I welcome this. The threat we face today is global, and so must be the cooperation between all cultures, religions and societies. The fight against terrorism is not directed at the Muslim world. We respect the Islamic traditions and the values it has brought to the world.
Mr. President,
The European Union firmly supports the targeted military operations which began on 7 October, and which are legitimate and in accordance with the terms of the United Nations Charter and Security Council Resolution 1368.
As our Heads of State and Government stated on 19 October, the objective is and will be to eliminate the Al Qaeda terrorist organization, which was unquestionably behind the terrorist, attacks on 11 September. Its leaders have not been handed over by the Taliban regime, which has instead continued to harbor them. The target of this military campaign in Afghanistan is clearly not the civilian population. We believe that this civilian population, which is already in the throes of a serious
humanitarian crisis and which has endured the oppressive Taliban regime for far too long, must as far as possible be spared the consequences of the military operations.
Mr. President,
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is quite simply alarming and is continuing to deteriorate. We know that this crisis will worsen with the onset of winter. The evolution of the situation on the ground has to be used to quickly improve the delivery of assistance and to come to the aid of the refugees and the displaced persons.
Emergency humanitarian aid is an absolute priority for the Union, which has undertaken to mobilize without delay aid amounting to more than EUR 320 million. We also wish to stress the importance of releasing the funds promised by the international community.
The European Union supports the efforts of the United Nations specialized agencies, of the ICRC and of all humanitarian organizations in seeking practical and flexible solutions suited to needs. It also appeals to the countries of the region to facilitate by all means possible the humanitarian operations for hosting fresh flows of Afghan refugees. As I could see during my recent trip to the region, these countries are also suffering the consequences of the crisis in Afghanistan. The Union
therefore calls on the international community to assist these countries.
Mr. President,
At this crucial moment for the future of Afghanistan and regional stability, the EU would like to reiterate its position since the beginning of this crisis. There will be no peace and stability in this country for as long as there is no democratic and broad-based government, including all ethnic groups. This government will have to respect the principles of human rights and law.
The European Union is convinced that it is up to the United Nations and the SRSG to play a central role in helping the Afghans in their difficult task of establishing such a government. The EU stands ready to help the UN in is plans. It strongly insists that the Northern Alliance unreservedly contribute to those efforts. In particular, concerning the city of Kabul, the Alliance must only temporarily hold it in trust for the benefit of the entire Afghan people. We are convinced that any
political settlement in Afghanistan must be based on the will of the Afghans themselves.
Mr. President, we wholeheartedly support the United Nations' current and future efforts to achieve this strategic objective. However, no one underestimates the difficulties, which lie ahead. The uncertainties surrounding the length and consequences of the military campaign mean that the United Nations will have to play it by ear to an extent. Any strategic vision must take this into account.
Mr. President,
The European Union stresses the importance of incorporating a human rights dimension into any settlement concerning Afghanistan. Under the Taliban regime, serious violations of human rights and of the principles of humanitarian law have been committed. We have in particular condemned the discriminatory and inadmissible treatment of women whose most basic rights are systematically and methodically flouted.
Mr. President,
Post-conflict resolution represents a tremendous challenge. Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has been through twenty years of invasion, civil war and natural disaster. For more than four years now it has been beset by drought. Once we have succeeded in establishing a government that is stable, legitimate and representative of the whole population, the international community will have to embark on a programme to reconstruct the country. That is why the Union
considers it so important to initiate a plan for the economic and institutional reconstruction of Afghanistan right away. It is essential for the political process to be backed up by economic aid. The development of agriculture will help to combat the cultivation of opium poppies and the drugs traffic. Implementation of a mine clearance plan will facilitate the aid delivery and the return and reintegration of refugees and displaced persons.
The challenge before us is vast and multi-dimensional. Success will depend in large measure on our ability to take account of the regional dimension. It is clear, Mr. President, that stability in Afghanistan will increase regional stability. On the other hand, a lasting solution in Afghanistan presupposes the legitimate interests of neighboring countries being taken into account. It is therefore vital for those neighboring countries to be closely involved and to play a constructive part in the
United Nations' work. That work would be further facilitated by coordination between the countries of the region themselves. The Union intends to enhance its relations with Afghanistan's neighbors and it hopes that that will help to reinforce the process of regional stabilization to be led by the United Nations.
Mr. President,
The aim of our action is to assist the United Nations in its efforts to help the Afghan people help themselves. It is essential for the international community to participate in these efforts. The neighboring countries and the Organization of the Islamic Conference will obviously have an important part to play. And, Mr. President, you can count on the active support of the European Union.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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