Afghan minister’s plea for ‘better coordination’ to aid quake victims

Date: 28/03/02

By Martin Banks and David Cronin

THE European Union has been urged to intensify its humanitarian aid effort in Afghanistan following this week's devastating earthquake.

Several thousand people are feared dead after a series of quakes hit the remote northern province of Baghlan. Speaking at the European Parliament earlier this week, Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said the tragedy highlighted the urgency for 'better coordination' in the aid effort.

He said: 'Of course, we are grateful to the EU for the assistance they have provided in helping to reconstruct our country. The Union has been one of the biggest aid donors. However, the tragic events of this week - another natural disaster coming on top of 23 years of civil war - adds a new dimension to what was already a great challenge.'

Abdullah, a key figure in Hamid Karzai's interim government, added: 'We want to see the international community, including the EU, intensify its efforts to get aid to where it's needed most: on the ground. There have been plenty of pledges of support, but these need to be put into practice quickly and in a well-coordinated way.' Meanwhile, Abdullah, who was in Brussels to address the foreign affairs committee, said the interim government 'fully supported' the ongoing US-led campaign to 'snuff out' remaining pockets of Taliban resistance. He said: 'The threat has to be removed once and for all, as I am convinced that Bin Laden is still alive.'

While stressing his support for the 4,000 strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul, the minister suggested 'more could be done to make clear that this is not a force of occupation'.

During the meeting, UK Conservative Charles Tannock revealed he is nominating former Afghan king Mohammad Zahir Shah for the 2002 Nobel peace prize. Exiled since being ousted by his cousin in 1973, the octogenarian is now living in Rome.

Tannock praised him for introducing parliamentary democracy and female suffrage during the 1960s. Under last year's Bonn agreement, Shah has been given the role of opening the loya jirga - a grand council due to appoint a transitional government this June. That government will run the country for 18 months with elections then taking place.

The European Union has been urged to intensify its humanitarian aid effort in Afghanistan following a series of earthquakes in the remote northern province of Baghlan.