Intervention - International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting
(check against delivery)
Tallinn, Estonia, 23 April 2010
Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate in today's meeting and to reinforce our ongoing support for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan. It is essential that non-NATO partners continue to be consulted in a timely way in NATO decision-making on Afghanistan.
We thank the Estonian Government, which is itself making a valuable contribution to efforts in Regional Command (South), for hosting this meeting.
The London Conference underlined the resolve of the international community to move forward with the Afghan Government on the basis of an integrated military, civilian and political strategy, and an effective plan for transition of responsibility to the Afghan Government and people.
We support the revised ISAF Comprehensive Strategic Political Military Plan (CSPMP) to embrace this integrated approach.
Australia shares the view of our international partners and the Afghan Government that this conflict cannot be ended by military force alone. It is clear that, while we have developed a mature military strategy over time, we also need concerted and coordinated civilian and political efforts to consolidate and build on security gains.
These efforts need to include focus on support for Afghan-led political reconciliation and reintegration into mainstream Afghan society of those people who are prepared to eschew violence and support for terrorism and respect the Afghan constitution.
Australia welcomed the decision of the Afghan Government in January to establish a Peace and Reintegration programme that can help to provide meaningful alternatives, in the form of employment opportunities, basic services and local infrastructure, which will underpin longer term security and stability.
We look forward to further detailed planning in this area at the Kabul Conference, following the Peace Jirga.
Australia recognises that civil and political efforts must go hand-in-hand with work to strengthen the capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces to provide security for governance and development activity.
Australia currently has 1550 military personnel committed to Afghanistan. We are the largest non-NATO military contributor and the 11th largest overall.
We have also committed $200 million over four years to the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund, and are the largest overall contributor.
We have also recently enhanced our contribution for civilian efforts, with a focus on strengthening Afghan capacity take responsibility for reconstruction and development. This includes $50 million for the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund and $25 million for the International Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund.
In the near future, Prime Minister Rudd will announce details of Australia's enhanced civilian engagement and expansion of our diplomatic and development assistance presence.
A major theme of revitalised ISAF strategy is its increased emphasis on transition to responsibility for security, governance and development.
Australia strongly supports the establishment of basic principles and a decision-making framework for transition of security responsibility to Afghan authorities - a key commitment of the London Conference.
The transition strategy aligns with Australia's primary mission to train the Afghan National Army 4th Brigade to a point where it can take on security responsibilities in Oruzgan Province.
Australia will continue to work closely with NATO on successor arrangements in Oruzgan Province, where the Dutch will cease command on 1 August. The Dutch military and civilian personnel in Oruzgan have worked very effectively with the local community, alongside their Australian colleagues, and we are very pleased at the progress we have achieved as partners.
The imminent withdrawal of Dutch leadership and the planned departure of their forces does, of course, present a significant challenge for Australia, Regional Command (South), ISAF more broadly and the people of Oruzgan.
It would be regrettable if the substantial work they have done to provide security, mentor Afghan forces and contribute to the development of the province were not sustained.
ISAF must address this challenge as an immediate priority.
Australia has welcomed President Karzai's undertakings to improve governance, take effective anti-corruption and anti-narcotic measures and create social and economic opportunities for all Afghan people. In the interests of building popular support and trust, we need to see early and demonstrable progress by the Afghan Government.
We also expect to see progress on election accountability and reform. President Karzai's decision to adopt guidelines for the parliamentary elections which strengthen the independence of key Afghan electoral bodies is a first step, but longer-term electoral reforms must be embraced.
Australia looks forward to the Kabul Conference, which we hope will build on the momentum created by the London Conference in strengthening international support for Afghanistan and see significant progress in transitioning responsibility to the Afghan Government and people.