News
January 30, 2010
London Conference Welcomes Afghan Peace Plan

The international conference on Afghanistan in London attended by foreign ministers and representatives from over seventy countries and international organizations unanimously welcomed President Karzai’s Plan for Peace, Reconciliation and Reintegration.

Stressing on reconciliation as a need felt by all the Afghans, President Karzai said, “We must reach out to all of our countrymen, especially our disenchanted brothers. To do this, we will establish a National Council for Peace, Reconciliation, and Reintegration, followed by a Grand Peace Jerga.”
He further called upon King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to help in mediating talks between government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, saying “We hope our brother His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz will kindly play a prominent role to guide and assist the peace process.”
Saudi Foreign Minister, who was also present in the Conference, welcomed the call for his country to help in the peace process in Afghanistan.
Saudi Arabia and the international community altogether has thrown their weight behind Afghanistan’s plan to offer land, jobs and protection to Taliban militants, who in return must give up guns and cut links with Al-Qaeda.

Afghanistan plan for building peace and reconciliation won the backing of the international community, demonstrated by a new pledge of some $ 140 million dollars to help facilitate the reintegration process through setting up an Afghan-led Reintegration Trust Fund.

U.S. French, German and Japanese Foreign Ministers especially backed President Karzai’s plan promising their countries’ support.
Also in the Conference was Kazakhstan Foreign Minister, whose country is currently holding the Europe Organization for Security and Cooperation who said his country would strongly support Afghanistan plans through political dialogue, larger trade and investment programs.