|
|
REGISTER
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chancery |
Monday to Friday |
| 9:00AM to 5:00PM |
Consular Section |
| Monday to Friday |
| 9:00AM to 1:00PM |
| * The embassy will be closed on all Canadian and Afghan national holidays |
|
|
|
|
|
| Havana, Cuba |
| September 16, 2006 |
Statement by
His Excellency Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta
Minister of Foreign Affairs |
|
|
Your Royal Highness,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, allow me to express my best wishes for speedy recovery of President Fidel Castro. I would also like to take this opportunity to convey our deep appreciation to Malaysia for her leadership for the past three years in multilateral forums and congratulate Cuba for accession to the presidency of NAM. I am grateful to the government of the Republic of Cuba for the hospitality extended to our delegation. It is my pleasure to congratulate the Republic of Haiti and of Saint Kitts Nevis for joining the NAM family.
Mr. President,
As one of the 25 Founder Members of the Movement once more, Afghanistan declares its full commitment and support to the ideas, principles, and purpose of the Movement, as well as our full support for multilateralism and enhanced effort to reviving the movement, to further support, represent and defend the interest and priorities of its diverse members.
Since its existence, NAM has played a vital role in dealing with challenges of colonization, disarmaments, poverty, apartheid, occupation, gender inequality, environmental degradation, narcotics, and terrorism. Today, our movement should play a more pivotal role to coordinate development, promote unity, solidarity and cooperation between its members, and prevent conflicts and Human Rights violations in our challenging world.
Despite the many changes since the inception of our Movement, there remain some familiar problems. The gap between the poor and the rich are widening. Millions of our children still have not access to education. Intra and inter-state conflicts continue to bring suffering to our citizens. Despite the end of formal slavery, there are still millions of enslaved workers, children around the world. The growing digital divide between the North and the South has created two different worlds.
On cultural front, unfortunately, we are hearing voices who believe in the inevitability of “clash of civilizations”. One can refer to the growing Islamophobia as one of the main manifestations of such a perspective. I firmly believe that such views are not only unfounded, but also pose danger to world peace and harmony. We have to collectively confront and isolate them.
Mr. President,
There are many reasons that underlined the above challenges, such as the legacies of colonial policies; existing structure of the international system; and unwise policies and practices by some of us. The current international system suffers from deficiency of justice. The North must recognize that the root of many problems of the South backs to the colonial policies and legacies. The South must sincerely work to implement South- South cooperation.
Mr. President,
We live in an increasingly globalized world. In a global village security and prosperity cannot be divided. Therefore, the rich nations should assume more responsibilities in dealing with our global challenges. The Southern nations should also shoulder more responsibilities towards their citizens. If we rightly criticize the unjustness of the international system, we also have to tackle unjust domestic practices and policies. For example, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women is a very important step toward creating a just and prosperous society.
Mr. President,
Allow me to state Afghanistan’s policy towards some specific global issues. To find a just solution to the suffering of people of Palestine and creating a harmonious Middle-East, Afghanistan, once again, urges full implementation of the Security Council resolutions.
Afghanistan follows with concern diplomatic developments related to the Islamic Republic Iran’s nuclear program. We urge the concerned parties to seek a negotiated and diplomatic solution.
Afghanistan welcomes the formation of the National Unity government In Iraq. We are confident the new Iraqi Government will work towards, peace, stability and national reconciliation.
Mr. President,
In my concluding remark, allow me to shed light on some important issues related to Afghanistan.
Following the collapse of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan in partnership with the international community, has achieved remarkable progress on many fronts. The successful completion of the Bonn Agreement has given Afghanistan a new constitution, elected president, elected parliament and a Supreme Court, vibrant civil societies, thousands of functioning schools and a new place on the international stage. In January this year, Afghanistan and its international partners produced Afghanistan Compact. Its full implementation will significantly boost Afghanistan’s socio-economic conditions. We appreciate commitment and efforts of all our international partners towards stabilizing and rebuilding Afghanistan and creating a peaceful, stable and democratic Afghanistan.
However, and despite many achievements, there still remain challenges. Terrorism remains our number one concern. As a multifaceted issue, terrorism is conditioned by its environment. In the case of Afghanistan, we and growing members of the international community are convinced that the sources of terrorism are outside Afghanistan. As long as there is no effective response to confront the sources of terrorism, we will not succeed in combating this menace.
Narcotics constitute another existential threat to Afghanistan. Afghanistan needs sustained and long-term support of the international community to contain it. Weak state institutions, poverty and unemployment are our other concerns.
Mr. President,
Despite the above challenges, Afghanistan is determined to become, once again, a responsible and active member of the international community. The Non-Aligned Movement had extended its full support to our struggle for freedom, and in recent years in the reconstruction process. I am confident, the Movement will continue to remain committed and engaged with Afghanistan in helping us overcome the legacies of decades of wars and building a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan.
Thank you. |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
