Biggest priority nowadays?

Interview with Michel Duray, Outreach Countries Section, NATO Public Diplomacy Division

What would you consider the biggest priority nowadays in Afghanistan?

- During our Summit in Strasbourg we declared as a priority for our mission in Afghanistan to set up the formation of a NATO training mission for the Afghan security sector and armed forces. And this training mission we have as a purpose to train the Afghan forces according to un-defeat war use.

It’s quiet urgent because our secretary general of NATO, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said recently that it costs 50 times more expensive to have a NATO soldier on the ground than it is an to have an Afghan one. And the Afghan, if we train him properly, can be an addition at the NATO soldier.

In addition, we really would like at this stage in the story to give back the ownership of the security policy to the Afghan authorities. NATO does not consider Afghanistan as a Colony. We are there at a request of the international community. And our purpose is to help, building a state, democratically elected, which is developing its own democracy in its own way.

We do not want to stay forever, so what we have to do now is to equip the Afghan authorities as soon as possible to that they are able to fulfil a their goals in terms of security.

What do you think about Karzai as a president?

- I will not comment on this.

Ok, so let me ask at least: What do you expect from him?

- No, I will not answer on that neither.

Why not?

- Because, you should rather ask this question to the NATO spokesman. You know, the election process has been just over now, NATO allies are happy that the election process has been completed. I really don’t want to comment on this.

During your opening speech you mentioned values the international community should rely on. Can you specify these?

- Yes, of course. During my discussion one of the young Afghan students here was asking me whether western democracy should be instituted in Afghanistan. I told him “of course not”. First of all because we cannot import our system of values in another country, it’s up to you to choose your system of values. However, I did ask him a question: Do you consider that fighting against corruption is good? Do you consider that fighting for a fair and normal justice system with judges not being paid by the people who are condemned is something normal? Do you consider developing according to international economic standards is normal or not?

These are some of the values you could fight for in order to help your country to develop. Because the overall world community is recognizing that these countries that are respecting these values have much more chances to develop themselves than the others. And this is a very easy question, it’s not only about democracy. The values of the West in a Western way. It’s about good governance and setting up a set of rules to help a country to develop itself and become a player on the international arena.

What is NATO doing to make sure that civilians are affected as little as possible by the fight against Taliban?

- It is of great importance for all the allies and the allied troops, for NATO contributors as well as non-NATO contributors to avoid civilian casualties as much as possible during their operations. They are urged to avoid civilian casualties as much as they can. It’s a priority.

What about the rule of Pakistan in this mission? How dangerous is Pakistan given the fact that Taliban increase their sphere of influence?

- Well, we are all aware that Pakistan is a country, which deserves attention by the NATO countries. NATO engaged Pakistan on various fields of organized support, and we have the type of situation, which is reuniting officials from Afghanistan, NATO and Pakistan to discuss operation issues like modern security, intelligence sharing the fight against explosives. And this is working very well. On the political side we are engaging with Pakistan as much as Pakistan is willing to be engaged.

How do you think this conference could contribute to NATOs efforts in Afghanistan?

- This is a very important conference. One of the most effective ways in terms of state building, institutional building is bringing together countries. Especially those which are very poor, like Afghanistan, which cannot afford themselves to send young people to be exposed to the values that you were mentioning. But you see they are interested to know much more and also to network. 

We thought it was important this time to include students and young people from the NATO countries in the forum, from the Central Asian countries, and from partner countries like Georgia.

It’s a unique way for a peace community of young intellectuals who will be at some level of power in ten or 15 years in their own country. They will have a much better understanding of what NATO is about and what we are doing in Afghanistan and in the world in general.

I think it’s a mayor diplomacy effort. And diplomacy is not only about talking and talking, but also about listening. If we manage to make them understand, that by listening, by talking and by networking, they can help their own country in ten, 15 years, than will we see the results of the investment we make today. It’s a lot of effort, but I believe that this is really something helpful and it’s of great importance to all of the alliance.

by Julia Balanowski