Wednesday, February 10, 2010

November 26, 2009 16:14 PM

International Meeting Stresses Japan's Key Role In Afghan Peace Process

TOKYO, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Japanese Diet (Parliament) members and participants in an international meeting on the promotion of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan has proposed that Japan play a key role in supporting peace-building efforts led by the government of the war-torn country, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.

The proposal said that since Japan enjoyed an excellent reputation with Afghanistan and the country's immediate neighbors, it was highly desirable that Japan played a key role within the international community in supporting the peace and reintegration programme led by the Afghan government.

According to Kyodo, the proposal was submitted to Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada following the three-day meeting under the sponsorship of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, an international alliance of religious groups, and with the cooperation of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

It also called for increased cooperation among Islamic states to prevent the spread of radical groups that promote violence as well as cooperation from Saudi Arabian King Abdullah over the peace building process in Afghanistan.

The Diet members and the other participants also said in a statement that they welcomed measures for aid effectiveness that "ensure transparency" and "accountability" so that Japan, which has recently decided to extend up to US$5 billion to Afghanistan over five years, can continue to provide support.

Among the participants were Masoom Stanekzai, an adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai and key negotiator on peace talks with the Taliban militants. Officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Iran also attended.

Others included Tadashi Inuzuka, a member of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, and Kenji Isezaki, former special Japanese government representative for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants in Afghanistan.

A detailed list of participants was not disclosed to ensure free debate, according to Inuzuka.

Inuzuka, a House of Councillors lawmaker, said after the meeting that discussions were focused on what Japan can do by utilising its "unique position" of not being a Western country, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or a Christian country.

-- BERNAMA

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