SECURITY IN AFGHANISTAN

Early day motion 58, tabled 13 November 2002 by Joan Ruddock (Labour). Signed by 108 members.

That this House believes that security is a prerequisite for the reconstruction of Afghanistan; notes the recent comments of the UN Secretary General that 'the most serious challenge facing Afghanistan and the Afghans today remains the lack of security'; supports the view of the Afghan Transitional Authority and the UN Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi that the expansion of ISAF is the best way to improve security across Afghanistan; recognises that this request has gone unanswered by the international community; calls on the UK Government to explore ways of extending the ISAF effect beyond Kabul with a clear mandate for peace and with soldiers trained for this task and clearly distinguished from aid workers by the wearing of uniform; further calls upon the Government to continue to play its part in providing the necessary resources to rebuild Afghanistan, thereby enhancing the role of the Afghan Transitional Authority and fulfilling its own welcome commitment to Afghanistan for the long-haul.

Signatures by party: Labour 69, Liberal Democrat 20, Labour/Co-operative 8, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 4, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.