TOP UN ENVOY URGES CALM AS AFGHANISTAN AWAITS ELECTION RESULTS

The top United Nations envoy for Afghanistan today urged patience and calm as the country's Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) responds to the complaints that have been received following last week's historic presidential and provincial council polls.

"I say to candidates, campaigners, voters, and media, that you must respect this process. This is a critical part of it. Respect also means demonstrating patience," Kai Eide said during a visit to the Commission's headquarters in Kabul.

Mr. Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), met with some of the commissioners and saw how the ECC deals with the complaints filed by candidates and voters.

The Commission said it has so far received 790 complaints from across the country following the 20 August polls, including 54 classified as "Priority-A," which, if proved, could have an impact on the result.

Mr. Eide said he was concerned about every irregularity, but emphasized that the ECC would do all it can to address and correct them.

Forty-one presidential candidates, including two women, as well as over 3,000 candidates competing for provincial council seats, took part in last week's polls, the first to be organized by the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC).

The elections were hailed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN Security Council, both of whom congratulated the Afghan people for exercising their right to vote.
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ELECTION DAY GOING WELL IN AFGHANISTAN, SAYS TOP UN ENVOY

The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan said he was pleased with the way the country's elections were taking place and there had been less violence than he had feared, during a visit to a local polling station in the capital, Kabul, midway through Election Day.

"I am pleased to see that the elections have been going quite well," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, told reporters.

"There are scattered incidents here and there, but as you see, in general it seems to be working well, and I am pleased about that."

There had been several attacks in the days leading up to the presidential and provincial council elections, including Tuesday's blast in Kabul which claimed the lives of two UN staffers and at least five others.

But Mr. Eide, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said that there has not been as much violence today as had been expected.

"There have been some attacks, but I must say, all in all, it is at a lower level than I had feared," he stated. "Also, the kind of spectacular attacks that we were warned about have not happened."

Some 17 million voters have been registered to take part in today's polls, the first to be organized by the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC).

Voters will choose from 41 presidential candidates, including two women, and more than 3,000 candidates who are competing for provincial council seats.

Mr. Eide noted that the elections are, first and foremost, important for the Afghan people but that they are also crucial for the country's international partners.

"They also demonstrate that the investments that we made over all these years are important and that this commitment must be long term, but based much more on Afghan leadership and ownership of the whole process."

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BAN CALLS ON ALL AFGHANS TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN TOMORROW’S ELECTIONS

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all eligible Afghan men and women to cast their ballots in tomorrow's presidential and provincial elections, saying their votes will play a crucial role in helping the country on the path towards greater stability and democracy.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said that by participating in the elections, "the Afghan people will help Afghanistan strengthen its democratic institutions, bring fresh vigour to the country's political life, and ultimately reaffirm their commitment to contribute to the peace and prosperity of their nation."

He also called on all election candidates, their supporters, political party agents and both domestic and international observers "to continue to cooperate with the Independent Election Commission, other relevant Afghan institutions and international stakeholders supporting electoral preparations, to ensure a smooth and successful electoral process."

Afghanistan has been beset by violence during the election campaign, including two suicide bomb attacks since the weekend in the capital, Kabul. In the latest attack, which occurred yesterday, two United Nations staff members were among those killed.

Earlier this month a report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) found that the prevailing insecurity was affecting preparations for the elections, especially for women.

Tomorrow's elections will feature an estimated 40 presidential candidates and another 3,195 candidates for the provincial council.
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BAN DEPLORES DEADLY CAR BOMB ATTACK IN AFGHAN CAPITAL

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned Saturday morning's suicide car bombing in central Kabul that has reportedly killed at least seven people and injured dozens of others, days ahead of much anticipated presidential and provincial elections across Afghanistan.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he was "deeply concerned at this indiscriminate violence" before the polls, which are scheduled to take place next Thursday.

"The Secretary-General extends his condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims. He also sends his wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured by this despicable act." The injured civilians include at least one United Nations staff member.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warned in a report issued earlier this week with the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) that insecurity was having a serious impac
t on election preparations, particularly for women, but that Afghans were still eager to vote despite these challenges.
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INSECURITY IMPACTING PREPARATIONS FOR AFGHAN POLLS, FINDS UN REPORT

Insecurity is having a serious impact on preparations for Afghanistan's upcoming elections, especially for women, according to the United Nations and the country's human rights body, which added that despite attacks and threats, Afghans are eager to take part in the polls.

A report co-authored by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) found that insecurity has severely limited freedom of movement and constrained freedom of expression for candidates and supporters, hampering their ability to campaign openly through public gatherings or door-to-door visits.

"These restrictions have, in turn, created significant limitations on freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and amplified women's difficulties in participating in the electoral process," stated the report, which covers the period from 16 June to 1 August.

According to the AIHRC, three women candidates in the southern province of Kandahar cannot live there because of the insecurity, while other female candidates are unable to even put up posters due to opposition by their families or other people in their neighbourhoods.

In another case, a woman in Takhar province had her office closed down and her house set on fire for campaigning.

There have been four alleged election-related killings in the month of July, according to the report, which also noted that the political rights of candidates and their supporters have generally been respected despite isolated instances of documented violations.

Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, voiced concern that insecurity will impact voter turnout for the 20 August presidential and provincial council elections.

"I am concerned that security will affect the turnout on the voting day. There is no doubt about that," he told a news conference in Kabul.

"It is of course sad that we have conflict ongoing in the country which will not allow all Afghan voters to come to the polling stations and do what they want to do, to give their vote and have their say what the future of Afghanistan should be.

"So my appeal to everybody is don't block the road for Afghans, male or female who want to do what the Constitution entitles that person to do," said Mr. Eide.

Monitoring shows that the campaigns of the 3,195 provincial council candidates and 40 presidential candidates have been conducted, by and large, in a dignified and engaged manner, and that, despite increasing insecurity, Afghans have demonstrated a high level of interest and enthusiasm to participate in the polls.

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RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER TO CAPTURE IMAGES OF PEACE, PROGRESS IN AFGHANISTAN – UN

World-famous photographer Tim Page is joining the United Nations mission in Afghanistan to document efforts to shore up democracy and peacebuilding efforts in the South Asian nation.

Mr. Page, from the United Kingdom, will capture images of the final weeks before landmark presidential and provincial council elections on 20 August, as well as photographing the lead-up to the International Day of Peace on 21 September.

"One image is worth 1,000 words, or is it a billion pixels?" said Mr. Page, voicing hope that his work will have the same impact as images taken during elections in Cambodia in 1993 and Bosnia in 1998.

While in Afghanistan, the renowned shutterbug will also hold a series of master classes for young Afghan photographers.

"For me, the chance to mentor Afghan photojournalists is an awesome privilege, to promote their skills and passions," said Mr. Page, who snapped some of the most famous and enduring images during the Viet Nam War during the course of his nearly five-decade career.

The head of the UN mission, known as UNAMA, expressed optimism that the photographer will help raise awareness of the hopes and aspirations of the Afghan people ahead of the historic polls.

"Too often the images we see of Afghanistan are those of conflict and violence," said Kai Eide, who also serves as the Secretary-General's Special Representative. "Afghanistan has another story to tell. Few people have the opportunity to see the dignity and determination with which Afghan people live under the most challenging circumstances."

Recently, he told the UN News Centre that the upcoming elections are by far the most difficult and complex he has ever seen, illustrated by the use of over 3,000 donkeys to deliver ballot papers to the most remote regions.

Despite flaws in the process, the envoy said the campaigns were dignified and the political debate intense.
In addition, the "security organizations – the Afghan army, the Afghan police and ISAF – are doing their utmost with the Election Commission to identify and try to open as many as possible," said Mr. Eide.
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AFGHANISTAN: TOP UN ENVOY URGES ELECTION CALM, PRAISES ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

The top United Nations official in Afghanistan today condemned violent attacks on presidential hopefuls ahead of this month's national and provincial elections, urging all parties to concentrate on the political debate.

"There has been -- and there is -- concern about irregularities, and those are concerns that I share and I condemn, in particular, the attacks that have taken place on candidates and on supporters of candidates," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, told reporters in Kabul.

Mr. Eide noted that the war-ravaged country had never "witnessed such a vibrant political debate in this country, and we have never seen such involvement by the public, as we have seen during these few weeks.

"It is critically important that in the next three weeks, we see a continuation of the political debate, and that we do not get into a situation where the debate is focused on irregularities and accusations and counter-accusations," he stressed.

In a direct appeal to the media, Mr. Eide underscored the importance of avoiding incorrect or misleading reports that could inflame the tense situation.

He added that everyone shares the responsibility to ensure a stable environment after the elections on 20 August.

"All must conduct a campaign in a way that the results are accepted by the people. I repeat this is a shared responsibility. Whoever wins this election will have to govern the entire country."

Mr. Eide pointed to a series of measures taken by local election authorities to avoid the possibility of fraud on the day of the vote, including the implementation of strict controls on the movement and handling of all sensitive materials, based on internationally accepted standards, and the deployment of observers and political agents at polling stations.

"The [Independent] Election Commission, security institutions and the Unit
ed Nations are doing whatever can be done to make sure that a maximum number of polling stations are open on polling day," said Mr. Eide, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission to Afganistan (UNAMA).

Mr. Eide also voiced concern over the poor state of the country's prison system, highlighting the need for increased resources to improve deteriorating facilities, the importance of providing families of detainees with prompt information about their whereabouts and situation, and the need to bolster the justice system to ensure that detainees have access to the due process of law.
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UN OFFICES IN AFGHANISTAN TARGETED BY MILITANT ROCKET FIRE

Rebel insurgents in Afghanistan have launched a rocket attack on a United Nations compound in the western province of Herat, causing damage to a vehicle and equipment, the UN mission to the war-wracked nation said in a statement today.

Some seven rockets were fired last night in a deliberate attack against the UN, with two of the missiles landing inside the compound, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in the statement condemning the attack

"Thankfully no UN staff were harmed or otherwise injured in this attack and our offices remain open," said the spokesperson for the in the statement.

The head of UNAMA, Kai Eide, told the UN News Centre that the attack resulted in damage to a UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) vehicle and two UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) generators.

"United Nations staff are here to help Afghanistan's most vulnerable communities," the mission said, adding that the "impartiality of the work we do for the people of Afghanistan
must be respected."

UNAMA urged the Afghan authorities to make every effort to find the militants behind this attack and hold them accountable.
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SECURITY COUNCIL STRESSES NEED FOR FREE, FAIR AND SECURE AFGHAN POLLS NEXT MONTH

The Security Council today welcomed the Afghan-led preparations for next month's presidential and provincial council elections, and stressed the importance of "free, fair, transparent, credible, secure and inclusive" polls.

In a statement read out by Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda of Uganda, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, the 15-member body also called on the Afghan people "to exercise their vote in this historic opportunity for all Afghans to make their voices heard."

In addition, the Council stressed the importance of a secure environment for conducting elections, and condemned those who resort to violence to obstruct the electoral process.

While recognizing the ongoing efforts of the Afghan Government, it encouraged additional efforts by the authorities with the assistance of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to ensure security during the electoral period.

The presidential poll is scheduled to be held on 20 August, the date set by the country's Independent Electoral Commission.

Last month the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan told the Council that the August election is about more than choosing the country's leaders.

"It is about strengthening people's confidence in the democratic process, and about strengthening Afghanistan's institutions. It is not only about who will lead, but about the legitimacy of leadership," said Kai Eide, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

As part of its efforts to assist in the preparations for the polls, the Mission has issued a set of guidelines for the conduct of all those who are engaged in the elections – government officials, candidates, supporters, electoral officials and media and international representatives – related to the election campaign, the election day and the immediate post-election day process.

The UN has also been involved in the training of some 35,000 police officers ahead of the elections, and helped set up a toll-free election information hotline.
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TERRORISM KILLS MORE AFGHAN CIVILIANS THAN ANY MILITARY ACTION – UN MISSION

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has spoken out against the use of suicide bombings and other terrorist activities, which it says kills more civilians than any other military action.

The reaction came after last Thursday's bomb blast in Logar province which killed more than 20 people, including children on their way to school. UNAMA condemned the "barbaric" attack, the latest in a string of violence targeted at aid organizations.

"The United Nations in Afghanistan has long made clear its deep concern about the use of suicide bombs and terrorist acts in populated areas," Nazifullah Salarzai, a spokesperson for the Mission told a news conference in Kabul today.

"These are resulting in more civilian casualties in Afghanistan than any other military tactic, and must stop. The civilian population of this country has a right to be safe from violence and threats."

The head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has also spoken out against last week's attack, stressing that the children of Afghanistan, like children everywhere, have a right to be protected from violence and to develop free of threats, intimidations and violent attacks.

"Even where they do not suffer directly from the violence, when children are not allowed to feel safe at school or travelling to school, their education and their prospects suffer, and the futures of their families and their communities are undermined," said Ann M. Veneman.

UNICEF has recorded 98 school incidents in the period from 1 May until 24 June 2009, including direct attacks by small arms and rockets, arson, and threats. Ms. Veneman said these attacks "pull the country backwards and threaten the significant advances that have been made in education and child health in recent years."

Recent violence has also targeted those trying to help the fledgling democracy rebuild. Last month three national staff members of a local non-governmental organization (NGO) were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in was destroyed by a roadside bomb in Jawzjan province. In addition, the office of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Kunduz was attacked in early June with a rocket-propelled grenade having been fired at the compound.

The ongoing violence is of particular concern as the country gears up for presidential elections slated for 20 August. The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Kai Eide, has highlighted the critical importance of the upcoming polls, noting that it is about more than choosing the country's future leaders.

"After years of conflict and developments that have not met Afghans' expectations, it is important to strengthen peoples' confidence in the democratic processes, and to strengthen Afghanistan's democratic institutions. It is about the legitimacy of leadership," he stated.

The UN has called on all candidates to campaign with dignity and avoid language that could incite violence, and on government officials and institutions to avoid interference during all phase of the election process.

It has also appealed to all voters to take part in the polls, stressing that such participation is essential to the legitimacy of the election results.
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UN BEGINS TRAINING 35,000 AFGHAN POLICE OFFICERS AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

UN BEGINS TRAINING 35,000 AFGHAN POLICE OFFICERS AHEAD OF ELECTIONS
New York, Jun 1 2009 12:01PM
The first batch of Afghan police wrapped up a training programme today that will eventually reach tens of thousands of officers in preparation for this year's presidential and provincial council elections, announced the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (<"http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1741">UNAMA).

Some 25 police officers have completed a two-day course in Kabul in the first phase of a programme that will train 350 officers in Herat, Kabul, Mazar and Kandahar who will then pass on their skills to 35,000 officers across the country ahead of the 20 August polls.

The programme aims to prime the police officers to tackle security threats and provide voters with the confidence needed to come out in large numbers and cast their ballots without fear, a UNAMA spokesperson <"http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1761&ctl=Details&mid=1892&ItemID=4052">told reporters in Kabul.

The elections support project of the UN Development Programme in Afghanistan (UNDP/ELECT), together with the European Union's Police Mission (EUPOL) and the Ministry of Interior, is training officers on the electoral process, Afghanistan's election law, international standards of elections and their role during the elections.

UNAMA and the <"http://afghanelections.org/">UNDP/ELECT project are supporting Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission in organizing the polls, for which nominations closed on 8 May with 44 candidates in the running for the presidential election and 3,324 for the provincial council elections.

The UN Mission also announced that a girls' high school has opened in the Qaramqul district of the northern province of Faryab with $257,000 in funding from Norway.

The project was implemented by the Department of Rehabilitation and Rural Development under <"http://www.undp.org/">UNDP's National Area Based Development Programme.

The school, which can house 640 students at a time, is one of nine school projects which are under construction or rehabilitation by the area based programme in Faryab province with a total budget of close to $2 million.

In addition, children in the north-eastern province of Kunduz will have a new school building, where 15,000 students in the Qala-i-Zal district will be able to study in the school's 16-classrooms thanks to the UNDP Afghanistan New Beginnings Programme.

The Department of Rehabilitation and Rural Development is building the school which costs $127,818, said UNAMA.
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UN EXPANDS PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN WITH NEW OFFICE IN THE NORTH

UN EXPANDS PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN WITH NEW OFFICE IN THE NORTH
New York, May 9 2009 10:00AM
The United Nations opened its 20th office in the northern Sar-i-Pul province of Afghanistan on Saturday, continuing the world body's drive to promote development across the strife-torn nation.

"I consider this opening to be especially important, because it reflects one of our most important objectives to draw more attention and resources to the poorest provinces," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative Kai Eide said at a ceremony marking the event.

Mr. Eide, who heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said that the poor and the stable provinces in the Central and Northern parts of the country cannot continue to be neglected.

Pledging to push for an equitable and astute distribution of assistance to the people of Sar-i-Pul and across Afghanistan, he warned that if we allow "this feeling of unfairness to continue, then the result could be instability where t
here is today stability."

The new office in Sar-i-Pul aims to introduce agricultural reform as to avoid the constant humanitarian crises of the past, as well as devote attention to human rights, particularly the rights of women.

"Afghanistan needs the resources and talents that its women can bring to the development of the country," he said. "It is a not just a question of human rights of individuals, but also the future of the entire country."

Mr. Eide also used the occasion to urge the people of Afghanistan to ensure that the upcoming presidential and provincial elections are free of corruption and compliant with the country's Constitution and laws.

Earlier this week, the Special Representative opened a UNAMA office in Tirin Kot, the capital of the southern province of Uruzgan, stating that the "opening of our office should serve as a signal encouraging others to come and work in this province."

UNAMA's other offices are located in Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz, Heart, Kandahar, Nang
arhar, Bamyan, Kabul, Gardez, Ghor, Kunar, Khost, Nimroz, Badghis, Maimana, Uruzgan, Faizabad, Daikundi and Zabul provinces. In addition, the mission has liaison offices in the Iranian capital of Tehran and the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
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BAN ‘APPALLED’ AT SUICIDE ATTACKS AT AFGHAN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OFFICE

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today's suicide attacks in southern Afghanistan, in which two people were reportedly killed and a large number of civilians injured, including one staff member serving with the United Nations mission in the country (UNAMA).

Mr. Ban is "appalled and deeply saddened" by the attacks which occurred at the Provincial Council Office near the UN Office in Kandahar City, his spokesperson said in a statement.

"Such attacks indiscriminately targeting people and institutions committed to building a better future for the country are morally repugnant and can only set back the efforts to foster peace, reconciliation and stability in Afghanistan."

The statement added that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned at the escalation of violence in Afghanistan. Just last month terrorist attacks against government buildings in the capital, Kabul, left at least 20 people dead and many more injured.

Last week in Moscow, Mr. Ban told the Special Conference on Afghanistan that terrorism, in addition to illicit drug trafficking and organized crime, is seriously impeding progress in the strife-torn nation.

He had noted that the country's security situation is at a "delicate juncture," but added that while conditions have deteriorated in recent months, indications of "new thinking and new commitment" from Afghanistan's international partners are reasons for cautious optimism.

Afghanistan and its international partners met yesterday in The Hague and outlined a vision for the country that has four main priorities: strengthened security, enhanced regional cooperation, improved economic growth and stronger institutions.

With regard to addressing insecurity, there was a commitment by the participants at the meeting – which included President Hamid Karzai, Mr. Ban and the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNAMA, Kai Eide – to increasing the size and capability of the Afghan Security Forces, which will gradually take the lead in protecting the Afghan people.
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AFGHANISTAN: FLAWED ELECTIONS COULD ROLL BACK PROGRESS, WARNS BAN

Too much is at stake for Afghanistan's upcoming presidential elections to be flawed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today, calling on the international community to support efforts to consolidate stability in the war-torn nation.

"We know from experience that the second cycle of post-conflict elections can be even more difficult than the first," Mr. Ban said, opening the International Conference on Afghanistan in The Hague.

"Too often, flawed elections have led to greater instability. This cannot be allowed to happen in Afghanistan," he added, calling on the country's leaders to ensure that the Government is effective and functioning until the start of the next presidential term.

The Secretary-General pointed to numerous successes made so far, including slashing poppy cultivation and improving the health sector, urging continued support for the nation to make concrete achievements in key areas, such as boosting agricultural productivity and combating organized crime.

"We cannot afford to fail in this endeavour," he stressed. "Failure would be a betrayal of the Afghan people. It would be a betrayal of the progress that has been achieved."

The media portrays the situation as being bleaker than it is in reality, resulting in pessimism among policy-markers, Mr. Ban said at the one-day gathering drawing dozens of countries and organizations.

"We must avoid an attitude that focuses mainly on setbacks of the past, and learn to recognize the positive signs of progress," he said, underlining the importance of seizing opportunities for improvement.

The deployment of additional troops will lead to both a peaceful electoral environment and additional trainers for the national security forces, he noted, commending United States President Barack Obama's new strategy focusing on increasing military commitment, bolstered institution-building and improved cooperation with authorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

While in The Hague, the Secretary-General met today with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to discuss the presidential elections slated for August; democracy; the mandate of Mr. Ban's Special Representative, Kai Eide; and the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Mr. Ban also had bilateral talks regarding how the international community can support Afghanistan with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon; Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht; Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith; Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei; and the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Last week, the Security Council voted to extend UNAMA's mandate, reaffirming the "central role" of the world body in bringing peace to the country, the Secretary-General said at today's conference.

"We take this responsibility very seriously," he said, pledging the UN's continued support to protect human rights and food security, and improve the rule of law and governance, among other areas.

The Afghan people demonstrated their resilience in facing many daunting challenges, such as poverty, natural disaster, political repression, foreign repression and civil strife, Mr. Ban stated.

"In recent years, Afghans have moved decisively along a new path, toward a new vision for their future," he said. "Our responsibility is to help them secure that vision."

Mr. Eide, who also heads UNAMA told the gathering that promising developments in Afghanistan are a result of the hard work of both Afghan officials and a strong civilian and military international presence.

"Our common efforts are yielding results," he said. "This is not the time to hesitate but to stand firm in our commitments."

Coordination must be improved, since "our efforts are still too fragmented and do not provide the impact we seek," said Mr. Eide. "The UN must do more, yes, and we are ready to do more to deepen our role and expand our presence around the country."
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BAN TAPS US NEGOTIATIONS EXPERT TO FILL AFGHANISTAN POST

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Peter W. Galbraith, a diplomatic negotiations expert from the United States, as one of two deputy United Nations envoys in Afghanistan, his spokesperson announced today.

As Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, with responsibility for political affairs, Mr. Galbraith will be responsible for issues such as electoral and parliamentary matters, as well as those related to peace and stability, security sector reform, and human rights.

In those duties, he replaces Christopher Alexander of Canada who will be completing his assignment with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) at the end of this month.

"The Secretary-General is grateful to Mr. Alexander for his dedicated service in Afghanistan over the past three years, during which he made a valuable contribution to UNAMA's efforts to foster peace and stability in Afghanistan," spokesperson Michele Montas said.

Mr. Galbraith is currently a Senior Diplomatic Fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and founder of the Windham Resources Group LLC, a firm that specializes in international negotiations and strategies.

He has also had many years of humanitarian and security policy experience from involvement in negotiations on Iraq, the former Yugoslavia and Timor-Leste.

In addition, he served as United States Ambassador to Croatia and a senior adviser to the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, with major responsibilities for the Near East, South Asia and international organizations.

He has also been a senior legal adviser to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and has received awards for his work to protect the environment and to promote international educational exchange.

UNAMA is headed by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, and currently has some 1,500 staff across the country. It is an "integrated" Mission with two main areas of operation – development and humanitarian affairs, headed by Deputy Special Representative Bo Asplund, and political affairs.
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TOP UN OFFICIAL MEETS WITH US LEADERS ON AFGHANISTAN

The United Nations envoy for Afghanistan is in Washington D.C. this week ahead of a key international meeting later this month which will assess the current political, security and development issues in the South Asian nation.

Kai Eide met yesterday with United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Adviser James Jones, both of whom expressed their "full support" for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative and for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

They discussed the US strategy review and preparations for the International Conference on Afghanistan, to be held on 31 March in The Hague, according to a news release issued by UNAMA.

Mr. Eide also met on Monday with Richard Lugar of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senator Carl Levin of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He is expected to meet today with, among others, Vice-President Joseph Biden and Secretary of Defence Robert Gates.

Yesterday the UN Security Council extended UNAMA's mandate until March 2010, while emphasizing the role of the Mission and Special Representative Eide in leading international civilian efforts in the country.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson following the Council's decision, Mr. Ban warmly welcomed the 15-member body's recognition of Mr. Eide's leadership, "who working closely with Afghan political leaders, has led the efforts of the international community to set priorities and rationalize their assistance to Afghanistan."
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SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR CREDIBLE AND SECURE AFGHAN POLLS, EXTENDS UN MISSION

The Security Council today extended the United Nations presence in Afghanistan for another year, while recognizing the key role played by the world body in coordinating international efforts in the country and in supporting upcoming elections.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body renewed the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 23 March 2010, and decided that the Mission and the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Kai Eide, will continue to lead international civilian efforts in the country.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the renewal of UNAMA's mandate, and particularly the Council's reaffirmation of the UN's "central and impartial role" in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

"The Secretary-General also warmly welcomes the Security Council's recognition of Mr. Eide's leadership, who working closely with Afghan political leaders, has led the efforts of the international community to set priorities and rationalize their assistance to Afghanistan," his spokesperson said in a statement.

These efforts include supporting the Government's efforts to improve governance and the rule of law and fight corruption, as well as facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

They also include supporting, at the request of the Afghan authorities, preparations for the 20 August presidential elections. The Council underscored the importance of the polls to the country's democratic development, and called for "all efforts to be made to ensure the credibility, safety and security of the elections."

Mr. Ban, in his latest report on Afghanistan, stated that the Government and people of the strife-torn nation, as well as their international partners, face a critical test with the holding of the elections this year.

The 20 August election date set by the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission is three months after the presidential term expires on 22 May. This has generated "constitutional uncertainty" over the President's legitimacy after 22 May, he noted.

"There is no higher responsibility in Afghanistan right now than that of the three branches of government to find a solution to the constitutional issue in a way that ensures the existence of a functioning Government between 22 May and the inauguration of the next presidential term," he stresses.

The elections are likely to feature prominently on the agendas of two upcoming meetings on Afghanistan – in Moscow on 27 March and in The Hague on 31 March.

Mr. Ban, who will be attending both meetings, said that he intends to press the international community to produce a clear, unified course for helping to bolster Afghan security, stability and development.

He will also stress the need to strengthen regional and international cooperation, he told an informal gathering of the General Assembly today.

The Secretary-General also briefed the Assembly on his participation at the upcoming G-20 Summit in London, stressing that the stakes at that meeting are large.

The UN chief said that he has sent a letter to all G-20 leaders, urging them to show leadership in four areas: providing a substantial and truly global stimulus package that also meets the needs of all developing countries; standing firm against protectionism; moving towards a "Green New Deal;" and reforming global rules and institutions.
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TOP UN ENVOY TO AFGHANISTAN WELCOMES AUGUST ELECTION DATE

TOP UN ENVOY TO AFGHANISTAN WELCOMES AUGUST ELECTION DATE
New York, Mar 4 2009 10:00AM

The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today welcomed the decision by the country's Independent Election Commission (IEC) reaffirming 20 August as the date of the 2009 presidential and provincial council elections, stressing that this will allow time for the necessary preparations for the polls.

"This date will provide the time needed for the IEC with the support of the international community to make practical and logistical preparations, for candidates to campaign, and for Afghan and international forces to provide security," the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Kai Eide, said in a statement issued in Kabul.

The decision by the Commission comes just days after Afghan President Hamid Karzai reportedly called for the elections to be moved up to April.

Mr. Eide, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said the holding of elections is of paramount importance for consolidating democracy in the country. "Therefore, I emphasize the need for broad consensus so that the election process can move forward in a way that ensures the political stability of the country and the legitimacy of its institutions."

The Special Representative also stressed the need for the elections to be transparent and credible, noting the shared responsibility of Afghan authorities and the international community to this end.

Pledging that the UN will do its utmost to contribute to this effort, Mr. Eide said he will continue to meet Afghan political leaders in the coming days "with a view to achieving national consensus for these elections to take place in a credible and organized way."
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