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AMBASSADOR RICE: Thank you, Mr. President.
Secretary-General Ban, thank you for your briefing. Special Representative Kubis, welcome
back to the Security Council, and please share with the UNAMA staff and the UN country team
our deep gratitude for their continued hard work and dedication. I would also like to
thank Ambassador Tanin for his partnership and congratulate Foreign Minister Carr and
Ambassador Quinlan on Australia assuming leadership of the 1988 Committee and Afghanistan-related
resolutions in the Security Council.
Mr. President, Afghanistan and the international community are at an important juncture. As
we have seen in recent weeks, challenges remain, but we continue to work together to achieve
our shared goals. President Karzai visited Washington in January and discussed with President
Obama strengthening Afghanistan's democratic institutions and supporting the country's
long-term economic and social development. President Obama and President Karzai also
reaffirmed the U.S.-Afghanistan Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement they signed in May 2012.
Security remains key. The Afghan National Security Forces now have the lead in overseeing
security for nearly 90 percent of the Afghan population, and with the recent announcement
of the fourth tranche, 52 new districts in the north and center of Afghanistan will soon
be secured by Afghan forces. As President Obama announced last month, over 34,000 American
troops will come home from Afghanistan by February of next year. We expect the fifth
and final tranche of the transition will be announced this spring, when Afghans will lead
for security across their entire country.
While transitioning security responsibility to the Afghans is necessary for stability,
it is not itself sufficient. In this regard, an inclusive and credible presidential election
in 2014 is critical for the country's future and to sustaining international assistance
to the people of Afghanistan. The results of this election must produce an outcome that
is legitimately accepted by the Afghan people. The announcement of the election date by the
Independent Election Commission is an important step, and its timely completion of a comprehensive
operational plan will be another. We note that Parliament is working on draft legislation
to further establish a lasting electoral framework, including independent election institutions.
It is important that respected and professional leaders are appointed to election institutions
after a widely consultative process. We recognize the valuable contributions of Afghan civil
society to these preparations and the essential work of the United Nations, notably the recent
UN Electoral Needs Assessment Mission.
In addition, Afghan-led reconciliation is important for stability - the best way to
end conflict and bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and the region. We continue to support the
opening of an office in Doha, Qatar, to facilitate negotiations between the High Peace Council
and the authorized representatives of the Taliban. As a part of the outcome of any process,
the Taliban and other armed opposition groups must end violence, break ties with Al-Qaeda,
and accept Afghanistan's Constitution. The outcomes of peace and reconciliation must
respect the historic achievements that a unified and sovereign Afghanistan has made over the
past decade, including protecting the rights of all citizens of Afghanistan - women and
men - as guaranteed under the Constitution.
Over the past decade, Afghan women have emerged from the total oppression imposed by Taliban
rule. Women are essential partners and contributors to building a strong civil society and a stable
nation. Afghan women hold office at the national, provincial, and local levels; serve on the
High Peace Council and in provincial peace councils. They start and run businesses of
all kinds and organize to serve their communities and have their voices heard. As Afghanistan
builds a better future, the contributions, intrinsic worth, and fundamental dignity of
Afghan women must continue to be embraced.
Afghanistan's progress is due primarily to the grit, determination, and hard work of
the Afghan people. It is they who have come this far. The international community has
provided vital assistance along the way and will continue to do so. Afghanistan's neighbors
must play a constructive role in creating a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. One
vehicle is the Istanbul Process, which will have a ministerial meeting in Almaty next
month and is expected to discuss the six confidence-building measures of counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism,
trade, regional infrastructure, education and disaster management. Progress in these
areas is vital for a secure, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.
Since 2002, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has played an indispensible role in the country's
progress. As Afghanistan continues its transition, UNAMA needs to remain a committed partner,
and we as a Council need to sustain our support during this crucial time. UNAMA has weathered
significant budget reductions over the last two years, and we believe these cuts have
gone as far as they reasonably can. UNAMA's resources should be stabilized now and a mission
allowed to carry out its mandate with its core functions intact. UNAMA remains a priority
and must be resourced as such. We appreciate the support of the United Nations in Afghanistan
and are pleased to have extended UNAMA's mandate for another year.
Thank you, Mr. President.