Dhaka ready to join Kabul’s reconstruction work

ANIS ALAMGIR

Bangladesh would like to join the international community in Afghanistan’s reconstruction process by attending an ‘International Conference on Afghanistan’ in Kabul on July 20.

The government of Afghanistan has invited representatives of more than 70 countries, international and regional organisations and financial institutions to deliberate and endorse an Afghan government-led plan for improved development, governance, and stability.

Foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni is likely to represent Bangladesh in the conference, the first of its kind in Kabul. She is scheduled to leave Dhaka today for the conference. The Afghan government has taken several security measures, including restriction on flight movement on the conference day. But till last evening her departure time was not fixed.

However, director general of South Asia of the foreign ministry Mohammad Imran will leave Dhaka this morning to attend the conference. If Moni attends the conference, this will be the first high level visit of the Bangladeshi delegation to Afghanistan after war against terror began in 2001.

Though Bangladesh in principle was against the Afghan war in 2001, Dhaka had given refuelling permission to US war planes. However, ultimately it was not required. Bangladesh had also refused the US request to send armed forces to Afghanistan saying it only sends troops to other countries as UN peacekeeping force.

Nine years since the start of its renewed partnership with the international community, Afghanistan stands at a critical turning point in its efforts to achieve long-term peace, security, and stability. Last January, Afghanistan and its international partners gathered in London to reaffirm their commitment to achieving lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the country.

Tomorrow’s conference in Kabul will be opened by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and co-chaired by Afghan Foreign Minister Rassoul and UN Special Representative Staffan de Mistura.

Foreign ministry officials believe that Bangladesh can offer skilled manpower like doctors, engineers, teachers, bankers, labourers and other professionals as required by Kabul for the development of the SAARC member state.

“We are also ready to help them to improve their governance skill, training for civil servants, and activities of social advancement”, said an official.

Two nuclear powered nations in South Asia- India and Pakistan- are also keen to involve themselves in development activities of war-torn Afghanistan. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will also attend the conference along with other world leaders.

The US secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, will also attend the international conference in Kabul, where the Afghan government is expected to outline plans to bolster security conditions, reintegrate militants into society and crack down on corruption.