CRI听力: London Conference on Afghanistan: It's Time for the Afghans Take the Leadership in Rebuildin

The London conference on Afghanistan got underway. Foreign ministers from 70 countries and officials from other organizations were present. Participants say it's time for the Afghans to take leadership in its post-war reconstruction and . Our London correspondent Tu Yun reports.



Nine years after the US-led war in Afghanistan, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says it's a decisive moment for the international coalition in the Asian country.

"For this conference marks the beginning of the transition process agreeing the necessary conditions, under which we could begin district by district, province by province, to transferring the responsibility for security, from international forces to Afghan forces and Afghan people."

Brown says the handover process will begin later this year. He adds a police reform plan will help the Afghan national security forces increase its numbers to 300 thousand in total by October next year, a presence far greater than the coalition forces in the Asian country.

But the shift does not mean an end to international support. United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, says such support will focus on the priorities of the Afghan government.

He also stresses the reconstruction process must be inclusive.

"We face a long and complex recovery and institutional building. It must be inclusive, encompassing the full range of Afghan stakeholders. It must strengthen the governance and meet the basic needs of the Afghan people. It must respect the human rights of the Afghan people."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says rebuilding the Afghan people's confidence is crucial to the success and legitimacy of the collective reconstruction efforts. He lists anti-corruption as a top priority of his government.

"We're committed to working with these and other institutional pillars to strengthen public voice, transparency and accountability in the system. Fighting corruption will be the key focus of my second term in office. My government is committed to fighting corruption with all means possible, including punishing those who commit it and rewarding those who avoid it."

Karzai also says he'll be convening a national reconciliation council and a "peace jirga" to facilitate the country's reintegration.

Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Spanta stresses that doesn't mean power sharing with the extremists.

"The reintegration and reconciliation strategy of the Afghan government is not to share the political power with the Taliban. The simple countryside Afghan citizens that are not happy with our government or they are paid better by the hard core of Taliban or because of other reasons they're fighting. We have to bring them back to the society of Afghanistan and give them a prospect for better life, job, education and a future. This is our responsibility and they are, from our point of view, the majority of Taliban."

The London Conference also announced the establishment of an international trust fund to finance the Afghan peace and reintegration program. And Afghanistan will receive some 1.6 billion dollars in debt relief.(www.hXen.com)

Foreign ministers from 70 countries and officials from six international organizations including the UN, World Bank and Asia Development Bank were present at the one-day meeting.

Tu Yun, CRI news, London.