ISAF Defence Ministers Meeting Intervention statement by New Zealand Minister of Defence Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman

Secretary General

It is a pleasure to attend my first meeting of NATO’s North Atlantic Council with its ISAF partners and I look forward to working with you and all my colleagues around the table in the months and years ahead.

Secretary General, today’s discussion provides an important opportunity to further refine and shape the strategic plan for Afghanistan that will be adopted at the Chicago Summit in just over three months time.

For its part, New Zealand is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan as they build a safe and sustainable society. As the Commander of ISAF and NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative have recorded in their transition reports, there has been positive progress in Bamiyan province since we last met. In that regard let me explain the progress in three areas: security, development, and finally governance.

• Progress is also being made in building the capability of the ANP Quick Reaction Force (PQRF), a key part of our security strategy for transition. We welcome the support of NATO’s Training Mission in Afghanistan (NTM-A) in providing equipment and logistical support to the PQRF. Likewise, we welcome EUPOL’s steadfast support in mentoring and training the ANP in community policing.
• On the back of these and other security developments, there are indications that more insurgents are looking lay down their weapons. Earlier this month, Bamiyan held its first ever reintegration ceremony at which five former Taliban insurgents joined the reintegration process.
• On the development side, New Zealand’s principal contribution is expanding the provision of electricity in Bamiyan, where we are proceeding with a concept design for a solar energy project. We are also assisting in agriculture where New Zealand tractors will help raise productivity. Thought is also being given to the long term potential for encouraging visitors back into the province. Needless to say, the people of Bamiyan set great store by those initiatives and this represents a potential path to sustainable and meaningful prosperity.
• It is also important to note that Bamiyan is relatively isolated within Afghanistan. Therefore the upgrading of communications links into and through the province is vital. There are two projects which are planned to start in the middle of this year.
• Lastly, on governance, we are supporting Governor Sarabi in her determination to establish an independent Anti-Corruption Committee.
Secretary General we have many partners working with us and the provincial authorities in Bamiyan. The United States, Malaysia and the European Union have all contributed to what we have achieved in the province. We also co-operate closely with our friends from Japan in delivering development projects, and we welcome Japan’s interest in assisting with the re-development of Bamiyan airport.

In conclusion we are very aware that the durability of what has been achieved in Bamiyan relies on progress right across Afghanistan. Bamiyan cannot be secure if the country as a whole is not ultimately secure.