KABUL - NATO's Senior Civilian Representative Hikmet Cetin in Afghanistan has said on Monday that a successful fight against Taliban forces entailed improvement of economic conditions of Afghan people.
Holding a press conference at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Headquarters in Afghan capital Kabul, Cetin said on Monday, ''although very high military expenses were made to provide security in Afghanistan, this goal could not be achieved yet. A successful fight against Taliban forces and group of former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hikmetyar, entails improvement of economic conditions of Afghan people as soon as possible.''
Stressing that Pashto, Tajik, Uzbek, Hazara and Turkmen people constituting the population in Afghanistan had longed for tranquillity and prosperity, Cetin noted that he had held intense talks to this end since the day he had started his mission in Afghanistan.
''A meeting will be held in Afghanistan after March with the participation of international finance organizations. During the meeting, I will stress that it is not possible to resolve problems of Afghanistan by taking military measures. Two thirds of aid sent to Afghanistan are spent for military and security expenses. There has not been any recovery in income level of Afghan people for the last two years. If people are relieved economically, their sympathy for terrorist organizations will come to an end, and number of people aiding to terrorist organizations will decrease.''
When asked whether his term in office in Afghanistan would be limited with six months, Cetin told reporters, ''in international appointments, the tenure is set as six months at first. Later, it is extended in accordance with the importance of the mission.''
(UK-AÖ) 23.02.2004