29 September 2004
Successful Afghan Elections Essential, State's Armitage Says
Deputy secretary says drug trade may represent greatest future security threat
By David Shelby
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- The Bush administration sees successful presidential elections in Afghanistan as a key to that country's long-term stability, but is not willing to overlook the continuing security challenge posed by the Taliban, al-Qaida and other insurgent forces, according to Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.
"[T]he outcome we want to see is a self-governing Afghanistan, where all the people, men and women alike, enjoy human rights and freedom of conscience," Armitage said in written testimony submitted to the House Committee on International Relations September 29.
The deputy secretary said that voter registration has been far more successful than anyone had initially expected, with more than 10 million Afghans registered to cast their ballots in the October 9 presidential elections.
He said, however, that security remains a concern both during and after the elections. "[W]e know that the Taliban and other insurgents will continue to try to disrupt the process, perhaps even by attempting a large-scale attack on election day itself," Armitage said in his statement, and added that "even a democratically elected government will need a better security situation in order to govern successfully."
Armitage spoke of the efforts of coalition forces to combat insurgent elements as well as NATO's contribution to domestic security through the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). He also cited efforts to train Afghan security forces, which now number 25,000 police officers and 11,800 soldiers.
Although he acknowledged that insurgent elements remain a concern, Armitage said he finds "encouraging signs of progress" in President Karzai's dealings with the regional warlords. He said some of the warlords have opted into the political process and placed their militias under the command of the national army.
"It may well be that these factional leaders are starting to accept that their future lies within the framework of the Afghan constitution," Armitage said in his statement.
The deputy secretary also addressed the problem of narcotics trafficking, relaying President Karzai's belief that "the drug trade and the associated corruption may be the most significant threats to a secure and democratic Afghanistan," as they finance and empower militants and recalcitrant warlords.
Armitage underscored the need for more vigorous counter-narcotics measures, including eradication, interdiction, law enforcement, public-information campaigns and provision for alternative livelihoods.
Several members of the congressional committee raised questions about the depth of commitment that the international community has shown to the stabilization and rebuilding of Afghanistan.
Ranking Democratic member Tom Lantos, said, "Given the importance of a free and stable Afghanistan to international security, I simply fail to understand how our allies, such as France, Germany, Belgium, and Turkey, and friendly countries in the Middle East such as Egypt, have failed the moral test of sending adequate numbers of troops -- in some cases, no troops -- to help nurture democracy and sustain Afghanistan in its time of desperate need."
Lantos went on to say that given what he characterized as Egypt's refusal to defend regional stability, he would work to shift U.S. assistance to Egypt from military aid to educational and health care programs.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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