Presence of Foreign Forces in Afghanistan Cause of Instability
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
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Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Tehran has fulfilled its financial commitments for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Iran's aid to Afghanistan was provided in the form of infrastructure projects including the construction of 300 kilometers of roads, 207 kilometers of railways, supplying water and electricity and building clinics for special medical purposes, Salehi said.
The Iranian foreign minister made the remarks in an international conference in Tokyo that has brought together delegates from around 70 countries to raise billions of dollars in aid for Afghanistan.
“Iran will continue granting financial aid and implementing infrastructure projects in Afghanistan and will be committed to all its obligations in this regard,” Salehi added.
Salehi blamed the over a decade-long presence of foreign military forces in Afghanistan for the rise in terrorism, narcotics smuggling and instability in the Asian country.
The Iranian foreign minister stressed the responsibility of the Afghan government to fight bureaucratic corruption and narcotics trafficking.
Iran's Foreign Minister has underlined the Islamic Republic’s contributions to the progress and development of Afghanistan.
The meeting in the Japanese capital is aimed at securing aid commitments for Afghanistan.
“This conference, which is held in Tokyo, Japan, is aimed at helping Afghanistan to raise its standards of living, to prepare itself after the 2014 when foreign troops leave Afghanistan, to stand on its feet, to take care of its security and stability with the assistance of the international community, and to make all it can for the prosperity of its people,” Salehi pointed out.
Iran's Foreign Minister has also advised the regional countries to exercise prudence over the Syrian crisis and warned against the ‘catastrophic’ upshots of a ‘wrong’ decision on Syria.
Salehi said, “We should not allow the situation to become worse, which would not be to anyone’s benefit.”
The Iranian foreign minister advised all countries in the region, as well as regional mass media, to act prudently, warning that one wrong step or decision might lead to a catastrophe and would be to the detriment of the region or the international community.
Iran’s top diplomat also said Tehran's stance on Syria is clear, and the Syrian people are entitled to enjoy the basic civil rights such as the right to free elections, multiple parties, freedom, democracy and independence.
Salehi lauded Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s steps towards implementing reforms in Syria and meeting people’s legitimate demands, adding that the Syrian president’s efforts were undermined by the foreign interference that has led to an escalation of the country’s situation.