NEWS RELEASES
May 30 (7:40 p.m. EDT)
No. 98
AFGHANISTAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS CANADA
The Government of Canada welcomes the official visit of Afghanistan’s Foreign
Minister, Abdullah Abdullah. On this occasion, the Government of Canada reiterates its
commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction by contributing $8 million to support
Afghanistan’s upcoming parliamentary and provincial elections.
“Mr. Abdullah’s visit provides Canada with the opportunity to reiterate our commitment
to Afghanistan’s transition toward democracy, security and self-sufficiency,” said
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew. “Through its 3D approach (diplomacy,
development and defence), Canada will continue to support Afghanistan as it heads
into parliamentary and provincial elections in September and beyond. Our renewed
commitments in Afghanistan, working on diplomatic, development, and military fronts
will help foster growth and pluralism and improve people’s lives through enhanced
security and aid,” Minister Pettigrew added.
“I welcome Mr. Abdullah’s visit and the opportunity to discuss how Canada can continue
to support the Government of Afghanistan in its efforts to promote stability and
prosperity, and develop a just and peaceful society,” said Defence Minister Bill Graham.
“I look forward to discussing with the Minister how Canada’s engagement, especially
our upcoming deployments to Kandahar, will contribute to this process.”
“By providing support to the parliamentary and provincial elections in Afghanistan, the
Government of Canada is helping Afghanistan’s ongoing evolution toward democracy,"
said Minister of International Cooperation Aileen Carroll. “Canada also played a key role
in supporting last October’s presidential election, a crucial democratic step for the
country.”
The Government of Canada also recently announced that a Canadian-led Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT) will be deployed to the southern city of Kandahar in August
2005 for a period of 18 months. The PRT will be a multidisciplinary team composed of
diplomats, development officers, civilian police, and Canadian Forces members. The
PRT will provide an integrated approach to extending the authority of the Afghan
government in and around Kandahar in an effort to stabilize the region.
In early 2006, Canada will extend its presence in the Kandahar region of southern
Afghanistan. The Canadian Forces will open a brigade headquarters and deploy an
army task force that will operate for a period of nine and twelve months respectively.
These forces will play a key role in accelerating the expansion of NATO's International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in southern Afghanistan to help strengthen the
security situation in the country.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Media Liaison Office
Department of National Defence
(613) 996-2353/996-2354
http://www.dnd.ca
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
(819) 953-6534
info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
http://www.cida.gc.ca
Backgrounder
CANADA’S DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE IN AFGHANISTAN
Supporting Afghanistan’s reconstruction is a high priority for Canada. The government’s
development assistance in Afghanistan is part of an unprecedented Canadian
coordinated approach that includes military support and an expanded diplomatic
presence. Canada’s goal is to help Afghanistan become an independent, stable and
prosperous nation. The aid program of the Canadian International Development Agency
focuses on reconstruction and development assistance targeted to Government of
Afghanistan priority areas related to governance and rural development.
Elections
• $8 million in new funding through the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) to support Afghanistan’s upcoming parliamentary and provincial
elections. Activities include conducting civic education programs in all provinces
of the country; delivering public information campaigns; printing polling ballots
and procuring ballot boxes and general polling station materials; and training
polling station officials and vote-counting officers. This funding is part of
$250 million in new funds for development assistance for 2005-2009 announced
in March 2004.
Budgetary support for the Government of Afghanistan
• $20 million to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund managed by the World
Bank. This funding will help cover general government operating costs such as
salaries of nurses, teachers and doctors.
Local governance
• $12 million for the Afghan Stabilization Program (ASP), one of several key
national programs administered by the World Bank. The ASP aims to establish
basic security and good governance in the districts and provinces of Afghanistan,
through developmental interventions focusing on security, governance and
reconstruction.
Mine action and ammunition destruction
• $10 million to the United Nations Mine Action Service for mine awareness and
clearance. This will promote agricultural revival, economic development and
human security in Afghanistan.
• $1.5 million to the UNDP for a survey of ammunition stockpiles and their
destruction. This project will help minimize the risk posed by explosive remnants
of war to communities throughout Afghanistan.
Support to refugees and returnees
• $7 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees program in
Afghanistan for the reintegration of returnees and internally displaced people.
The resettlement of most refugees and virtually all internally displaced people will
lead to stability and long-term commitment of communities throughout the
country.
Canada has responded to the Afghan government’s appeal for long-term development
investments. Canada recently renewed its commitment to Afghanistan in new funds for
development assistance, bringing our total allocation to $616.5 million from 2001 until
2009.
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