AMBASSADOR RICE: Thank you, Mr. President.
Secretary-General Ban, thank you for your briefing.
Special Representative Kubis, welcome back to the Security Council, and please share
with the UNAMA staff and the UN country team our deep gratitude for their continued hard
work and dedication.
I would also like to thank Ambassador Tanin for his partnership and congratulate Foreign
Minister Carr and Ambassador Quinlan on Australia assuming leadership of the 1988 Committee
and Afghanistan-related resolutions in the Security Council.
Mr. President, Afghanistan and the international community are at an important juncture.
As we have seen in recent weeks, challenges remain, but we continue to work together to
achieve our shared goals.
President Karzai visited Washington in January and discussed with President Obama strengthening
Afghanistan's democratic institutions and supporting the country's long-term economic
and social development.
President Obama and President Karzai also reaffirmed the U.S.-Afghanistan Enduring Strategic
Partnership Agreement they signed in May 2012.
Security remains key.
The Afghan National Security Forces now have the lead in overseeing security for nearly
90 percent of the Afghan population, and with the recent announcement of the fourth tranche,
52 new districts in the north and center of Afghanistan will soon be secured by Afghan
forces.
As President Obama announced last month, over 34,000 American troops will come home from
Afghanistan by February of next year.
We expect the fifth and final tranche of the transition will be announced this spring,
when Afghans will lead for security across their entire country.
While transitioning security responsibility to the Afghans is necessary for stability,
it is not itself sufficient.
In this regard, an inclusive and credible presidential election in 2014 is critical
for the country's future and to sustaining international assistance to the people of
Afghanistan.
The results of this election must produce an outcome that is legitimately accepted by
the Afghan people.
The announcement of the election date by the Independent Election Commission is an important
step, and its timely completion of a comprehensive operational plan will be another.
We note that Parliament is working on draft legislation to further establish a lasting
electoral framework, including independent election institutions.
It is important that respected and professional leaders are appointed to election institutions
after a widely consultative process.
We recognize the valuable contributions of Afghan civil society to these preparations
and the essential work of the United Nations, notably the recent UN Electoral Needs Assessment
Mission.
In addition, Afghan-led reconciliation is important for stability - the best way to
end conflict and bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and the region.
We continue to support the opening of an office in Doha, Qatar, to facilitate negotiations
between the High Peace Council and the authorized representatives of the Taliban.
As a part of the outcome of any process, the Taliban and other armed opposition groups
must end violence, break ties with Al-Qaeda, and accept Afghanistan's Constitution.
The outcomes of peace and reconciliation must respect the historic achievements that a unified
and sovereign Afghanistan has made over the past decade, including protecting the rights
of all citizens of Afghanistan - women and men - as guaranteed under the Constitution.
Over the past decade, Afghan women have emerged from the total oppression imposed by Taliban
rule.
Women are essential partners and contributors to building a strong civil society and a stable
nation.
Afghan women hold office at the national, provincial, and local levels; serve on the
High Peace Council and in provincial peace councils.
They start and run businesses of all kinds and organize to serve their communities and
have their voices heard.
As Afghanistan builds a better future, the contributions, intrinsic worth, and fundamental
dignity of Afghan women must continue to be embraced.
Afghanistan's progress is due primarily to the grit, determination, and hard work of
the Afghan people.
It is they who have come this far.
The international community has provided vital assistance along the way and will continue
to do so.
Afghanistan's neighbors must play a constructive role in creating a peaceful and prosperous
Afghanistan.
One vehicle is the Istanbul Process, which will have a ministerial meeting in Almaty
next month and is expected to discuss the six confidence-building measures of counter-narcotics,
counter-terrorism, trade, regional infrastructure, education and disaster management.
Progress in these areas is vital for a secure, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.
Since 2002, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has played an indispensible role in the country's
progress.
As Afghanistan continues its transition, UNAMA needs to remain a committed partner, and we
as a Council need to sustain our support during this crucial time.
UNAMA has weathered significant budget reductions over the last two years, and we believe these
cuts have gone as far as they reasonably can.
UNAMA's resources should be stabilized now and a mission allowed to carry out its mandate
with its core functions intact.
UNAMA remains a priority and must be resourced as such.
We appreciate the support of the United Nations in Afghanistan and are pleased to have extended
UNAMA's mandate for another year.
Thank you, Mr. President.