Ban Ki-moon welcomes Obama's decisions on Afghanistan

Ban Ki-moon welcomes Obama's decisions on Afghanistan

Updated at: 2313 PST, Wednesday, December 02, 2009 UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed Wednesday US President Barack Obama's new Afghan war plans, in particular his emphasis on the need for both a military and civilian effort. "The Secretary-General strongly feels that institution-building is a long-term but necessary process that will ultimately ensure the sustainability of the international community's joint efforts in Afghanistan," a statement said. "He notes with appreciation the proposed approach to balance military and civilian efforts and the emphasis on strengthening the capacity of Afghan institutions and Afghan security forces in particular." The United Nations last month announced the evacuation of more than half its foreign staff from Afghanistan after Taliban gunmen stormed a Kabul hostel in a dawn attack that killed five UN workers. In Wednesday's statement, Ban reiterated the world body's commitment to Afghanistan. "The United Nations remains committed to support all efforts to transition to increased Afghan ownership, responsibility and leadership in achieving lasting peace, stability and development in the country," he said. Obama ordered 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan and vowed in a nationwide speech late Tuesday from the West Point Military Academy that a military withdrawal would start by July 2011. But he also said a "civilian surge" was necessary and promised that the United States would work closely with the United Nations and Afghans to build capacity in the country. After growing concern in recent months about rampant corruption in the President Hamid Karzai's government, Obama stressed such US aid would be based on performance, and that "the days of providing a blank check are over." He vowed to work with Afghan ministries and local leaders who "combat corruption and deliver for the people," and implement a civilian-military redevelopment strategy to restore the once vibrant Afghan agriculture sector. Before his speech, the Obama administration also floated the idea of having a civilian coordinator in Afghanistan to help Karzai's government improve the country's security and economy.