The aim is to initiate a new stage of the "responsible hand-over”, explained the Chancellor, two days before the international Afghanistan conference begins.
Germany would like to see a greater focus on protecting the Afghan people. Civilian reconstruction and the training of the Afghan security forces will continue to be the priority of the German engagement, which will also include a new approach linking training to the protection of the population. Under this new approach, German troops will accompany Afghan patrols more often.
On Thursday, the conference on foreign ministers on the future of Afghanistan is to lay down binding objectives for progress in the fields of development, governance and security. The objectives and timelines are then to be used to devise a new strategy for gradually handing over full responsibility for the future of the country to the Afghan people. The conference is the result of a joint initiative of Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Germany will be represented by Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.
Angela Merkel once again declared her conviction that there can be no security without reconstruction in Afghanistan. On Monday the Chancellor agreed on the German position for the London conference in talks with the Defence Minister, Interior Minister and Development Minister
Networking reconstruction and security
Germany’s commitment is already significant, and will in future continue to concentrate on the north of Afghanistan. The funds for civilian reconstruction are to rise from 230 million euros to 430 million euros, Angela Merkel announced. The clear aim is to improve the country’s infrastructure, train competent security forces and get more children into school.
Training and protection battalions are to ensure that the Afghan security forces are enabled to train their own soldiers by the end of 2011. The 280 instructors currently deployed will be stocked up to a total of up to 1,400 troops. The contingent overall is to be increased by 500 troops. Restructuring will free up the other soldiers required. They will be joined by a flexible reserve of 350 individuals, to ensure security at the elections this autumn for instance.
Training for the Afghan security forces is to be flanked with more training for the Afghan police force. To this end, the number of police instructors deployed is to be increased from 123 to 200. In this way 5,000 Afghan police officers can be trained every year, and enabled to help ensure security in their country in future.
Prospects for ex-Talibans
Along with the Afghan government, the German government will also be supporting the internal process of reconciliation in Afghanistan. Moderate Taliban fighters who joined for primarily economic reasons are to be reintegrated into society, with the help of training and the offer of jobs in construction and agriculture within the scope of infrastructure projects.A total of some 350 million euros is to be earmarked for this reintegration programme. Germany will contribute 50 million euros of this sum over the next five years. Details are to be laid down at a follow-on conference in Kabul with the Afghan government.
By 2014 Afghanistan wants to assume responsibility for its own security
Chancellor Angela Merkel supports the intention of President Hamid Karzai, to assume responsibility for Afghanistan’s security by 2014, making it possible to withdraw the international support forces. The Chancellor did not, however, give any precise date for the withdrawal.
