United Nations Radio

The US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, says the UN Mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, will play a vital role in President Obama's plan for increased engagement in the country.

Susan Rice

Ambassador Rice said the strategy laid out by President Obama on Tuesday has 3 vital components: a military surge of 30,000 troops, a civilian component in cooperation with the United Nations, and a partnership with Pakistan.

Ms. Rice acknowledged that UNAMA had suffered a setback when its guesthouse was attacked in October by terrorists, who killed five staff members, but she said it has the ability and the will to continue its vital role.

"We think that the personnel of UNAMA need and deserve the additional resources to ensure their security and to enable them to continue to ramp up their presence and expand it into new provinces within Afghanistan. The civilian component of this strategy is crucial and that is why the United States will increase its investment, that's why the countries of NATO and ISAF will do the same and why the United Nations can and must continue to play a vital role."

Ambassador Rice pointed out that UNAMA's mission is multifaceted, including supporting the elections, coordinating humanitarian and development efforts, and a critical political role that must continue.

Bissera Kostova, United Nations
(duration: 1'22")