Russia, Iran say neighbors must help Afghanistan

[FrenchieCat]

MOSCOW: Russia and its Asian neighbors are arguing that they should play a stronger role in stabilizing Afghanistan because the threat of drugs and terrorism on their doorstep gives them a vital stake in the matter.

A top Iranian official said Afghanistan's people are fed up with civilian deaths and hungry for new ideas on how to end their suffering.

Russia hosted a daylong conference Friday of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which also includes China and four ex-Soviet republics close to Afghanistan's northern border. The calls for a greater regional role came hours before President Barack Obama ordered 4,000 more U.S. troops into Afghanistan and European Union nations promised to send more police trainers and cash.

The organization has been used by Russia and China to limit Western influence in Central Asia, and its members have sent mixed signals about their support for the U.S. and NATO efforts in Afghanistan.

They are allowing the U.S. and NATO to transport non-lethal supplies to Afghanistan across their territory, but Kyrgyzstan last month gave the United States 180 days to vacate an air base that has been a key support facility for Afghanistan operations — just after winning a pledge of more than $2 billion from Russia.

The conference was also attended by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and officials from the U.S., the European Union, Afghanistan, Iran, India and Pakistan.

The organization issued an "action plan" vowing to increase efforts to fight drugs, terrorism and organized crime emanating from Afghanistan.

"Afghan drug traffic has become a most serious threat to the security of Russia and countries of Central Asia. The efforts being taken to fight this evil so far are insufficient," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. He also stressed the need for the U.S. and NATO to reduce civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Mehdi Ahundzadeh said Afghanistan and the region needed new ideas.

"The people are fed up — the killing of the innocents," he told reporters.

The U.N. chief said he was counting on the group to come through with a "strong follow-up" to its pledges. And a U.S. official said the meeting was positive.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/28/europe/EU-Russia-Afghanistan.php