Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the security situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18593/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Recent reports and incidents indicate that the security situation in Afghanistan remains volatile. On 1 June 2005, at least 20 people, including the Kabul police chief, Mohammed Akram, are believed to have been killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Kandahar.

On 7 May, a suicide bombing attack on an Internet café in Kabul resulted in the deaths of two Afghan nationals and one UN worker and the injury of a number of others. The publication, on 9 May, of a report in an international publication, which has since been withdrawn, about the desecration of the Koran sparked demonstrations in Afghanistan during which an estimated 13 people were killed. On 18 May, five Afghan nationals who were working on a counter-narcotics project were killed.

The disarmament and demobilisation of irregular militia forces remains a key factor in building a secure environment in Afghanistan. The disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process, DDR, is proceeding well. Almost 50,000 militiamen have now entered the DDR process. It is estimated that less than 10,000 Afghan militia forces remain to undergo the programme by June 2006, the target date for completion of the DDR process. A large number of heavy weapons, twice the total number originally surveyed, have also been collected and secured in guarded compounds.

The training of a reformed Afghan national army and police force, key elements in building a secure Afghanistan, also continues to make progress. It is important that the international community remains focused on supporting Afghanistan in the period ahead. The forthcoming parliamentary and local elections, which will take place on 18 September 2005, will undoubtedly present a considerable security, logistical and political challenge. More than 5,000 candidates have been nominated for election. A considerable number of women have been nominated, which is to be welcomed. In a report on 18 March 2005, UN Secretary General Annan estimated that more than $128 million was required to move forward with electoral preparations. The Government is currently considering the allocation of funding towards these elections. The European Commission will deploy an EU election observation mission, EOM, for the elections. In addition to this, the EU is providing €8.5 million toward the cost of the elections in addition to a further €3 million for the institutional development of the Afghan Parliament.

The illicit narcotics industry in Afghanistan remains a serious problem which has implications for the security situation in Afghanistan as well as far-reaching consequences around the globe.

Afghanistan's opium industry generates an estimated 60% of Afghanistan's gross domestic product, GDP, and Afghanistan produces 87% of the global opium supply. President Karzai has identified counter-narcotics as a priority for the Afghan Government and has introduced a number of important initiatives in this regard. These include a national counter-narcotics implementation plan, the appointment of a Minister for counter-narcotics, the creation of a cabinet sub-committee on counter-narcotics, and the establishment of a counter-narcotics trust fund, which will be jointly administered by the Afghan ministry of finance and the UN Development Programme, UNDP.

Ireland, together with our EU partners, fully supports the Afghan authorities' uncompromising stance on the illicit cultivation of and trafficking in drugs. Over the past three years, Ireland has contributed €500,000 per annum to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, €300,000 of which has been channelled into counter-narcotics projects in the region. This contribution is likely to be substantially increased in the present year.

It is clear that Afghanistan will face many challenges in the period ahead and will therefore continue to need extensive support from the international community. Ireland, together with our partners in the European Union, will continue to sustain our support to Afghanistan in the period ahead.