KABUL — A landmark international conference Tuesday endorsed President Hamid Karzai’s plan for Afghanistan’s security forces to take over responsibility for safeguarding the country within four years, setting a potential timeline for foreign troops’ departure.
The Afghan capital was under virtual lockdown for the high-level gathering, which passed without any major attack. However, insurgents fired rockets at Kabul’s international airport overnight, forcing the diversion of a plane carrying U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to Bagram air base, north of the capital.
Helicopters thundered overhead as the delegations arrived and departed. Below, the streets of Kabul were nearly deserted except for patrolling police.
“I remain determined that our Afghan national security forces will be responsible for all military and law enforcement operations throughout our country by 2014,” Karzai told the delegates, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and dozens of foreign ministers and other dignitaries.
Conference participants also endorsed plans to channel at least half of the $13 billion in annual international aid through Afghan government channels. Currently, only one-fifth of such assistance is funneled through Afghan ministries.
In return, Karzai promised to fight corruption through such means as requiring government officials to declare their assets, and the strengthening of a task force meant to crack down on graft.
Los Angeles Times
