United Nations Radio

The UN Envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide, says the situation in the country is complex. Efforts must continue to ensure a credible and fair election, while long-term investments must be made in the country's development. Bissera Kostova reports.

Eide 1: It is about strengthening peoples' confidence in the democratic process, and about strengthening Afghanistan's institutions. It is not only who will lead, but about the legitimacy of leadership.

NARRATOR: Mr. Eide says any election campaign is divisive, but he is appealing to the candidates to conduct a campaign focused not only on who will lead the country, but where they will lead the country. He is also calling on the international community to avoid any interference or the appearance of interference in the election process.

Eide 2: Any such interference would undermine the legitimacy of the process itself and the people's confidence in its future leaders. And it would, in particular, harm a future government's ability to bring the Afghan people together in a credible peace process.

NARRATOR: The UN Envoy described visiting an election call centre that fields 25,000 calls per week from voters, especially from young people. This is part of the Election Commission's efforts to mobilize voters. The UN is also calling on all Afghan citizens to cast their vote. But Mr. Eide warns that a recent surge of violence accompanying the election campaign should not be allowed to stop the progress made in strengthening security, in reforming agriculture and the private sector and improving revenue.

Eide 3: My fear, however, is that the noise from the election campaign and the fighting season will absorb so much energy and attention that it will overshadow these positive trends and affect the momentum that has now developed. If we do not succeed in maintaining this momentum, then I am afraid we will witness new stagnation and disillusionment among the public.

NARRATOR: Kai Eide said an investment by the international community in Afghanistan could turn the country into a corridor for regional economic activities, rather than the barrier it now is. A railroad network, for example, from Iran to China and from Pakistan to central Asia, he says would stimulate regional trade.

Eide 4: Such infrastructure would also enable Afghanistan to exploit its own natural and human resources. Afghanistan is a poor country, but not destined to poverty. It has vast mineral resources, including the largest iron ore reserves in Asia.

NARRATOR: Kai Eide also asked the Security Council to expand the presence of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan throughout the country, making it a magnet for other civilian organizations. This, he says, would gradually draw development and governance efforts out of the military context and into the civilian context where they belong.

Producer: Bissera Kostova
duration: 2'55"