The Italian chairmanship of the G8 group of industrialised countries brought over 40 delegations to Trieste to forge common ideas on Afghanistan and Pakistan. For Afghanistan, I stressed the importance of credible elections on 20 August. We do not support any particular one (of the 41) candidates but instead are working for a process that commands the confidence of Afghans. On the civilian side I emphasised: a) governance at provincial and district level; b) reconciliation of former Taliban willing to live by the constitution; and c) the economy and especially the renewal of agriculture.
The leadership in Pakistan has succesfully reached out across the political spectrum to rally popular opinion behind a surge in military activity against the militants. The people and government of Pakistan need our help to support and then resettle internally-displaced persons as soon as possible.
Strong and credible political leadership is the best antidote to the fear of the war-weary people of both countries. That is what we are trying to support.
Posted at 19:44 27 June 2009 by David Miliband | Comments[0]
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