Military

DATE=05/17/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= AFGHANISTAN / ARMY (L-O)

NUMBER=2-289928

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A financial plan to pay for Afghanistan's security forces is being put together by donor countries meeting in Geneva. The plan would pay costs for Afghanistan's national army and police force, considered necessary to ensure a lasting reconstruction. Dale Gavlak has the story.

TEXT: The United Nations Special Representative to Afghanistan, Lakhtar

Brahimi, says donor countries have committed themselves to pay well beyond

500-million dollars to create a national army and police force for

Afghanistan and to demobilize former combatants not selected to join the new security structure.

Countries will be taking on not only financial commitments but specific

responsibilities in rebuilding Afghanistan's security infrastructure. The

United States will train the Afghan army, while Germany will aid in

reforming the police system. The United Kingdom is working on

counter-narcotics, while Italy and the U-N are rebuilding the judicial

system. Japan will aid with the demobilization of over 200-thousand

combatants.

U-S Coordinator for Afghanistan, David Johnson, says the funds pledged will

make it possible to do more than just get started, but additional money is

needed.

///JOHNSON ACT///

It is a very large step in the right direction. We have some significant

funds to back that up but we are also needing contributions from other

states as well in order for that entire program to be effectively financed.

///END ACT///

Officials say that former combatants considered unsuitable for military or police

service, but who are willing to lay down their weapons, will be registered

and given training in a trade where they will be paid better then they were

as soldiers.

The Afghan Interim Government's Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah says most

of the regional leaders or warlords have proved their loyalty to the current

political process underway with one or two exceptions.

///ABDULLAH ACT///

Those who will resist or try to make obstacles for the political process or

the stability in Afghanistan will have to be dealt with accordingly by the

interim government or the proceeding governments.

///END ACT///

Mr. Abdullah says most Afghans show they wish to cooperate with the new

political developments in the country, but he says that the challenges ahead

should not be underestimated. (Signed)

NEB/DG/RH