Military

DATE=11/14/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-Afghanistan Update (L Only)

NUMBER=2-283160

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations Security Council has given its full support to a plan that will work toward the establishment of an interim transitional government in Afghanistan. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: The plan was outlined Tuesday by Lakhdar Brahimi, the special U-N envoy for Afghanistan. It calls for talks among a wide range of Afghan leaders aimed at establishing a broad-based, multi-ethnic transitional government.

In a formal resolution, adopted unanimously, the Security Council strongly endorsed the plan saying the new government should respect the human rights of all Afghan people, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion.

After the Council vote, U-S ambassador John Negroponte told reporters he is pleased that the Council acted so quickly to endorse Mr. Brahimi's plan.

///NEGROPONTE ACT///

Acting in 24 hours time, Mr. Brahimi's political game plan has now been given total endorsement by the Security Council and he is moving forward to try to convene, on an urgent basis, representatives of the various Afghan parties to get together to form a provisional government.

///END ACT///

The Security Council resolution does encourage nations to support efforts to ensure safety and security in Afghanistan. However, it does not specifically call for an international military force. The idea is that, if a transitional administration in Afghanistan wants such assistance, it will ask for it.

In the meantime, U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, he hopes the Northern Alliance forces and the U-S-led coalition will provide security for international relief efforts in Afghanistan.

///REST OPT///

As the Security Council was adopting the resolution, Afghanistan's ambassador, Ravan Farhadi, was speaking in the U-N General Assembly. Mr. Farhadi, who represents the Northern Alliance movement, said all ethnic groups must be equally represented in a new government. He warned that there can be no foreign interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/PT