The participation of women is
key to the rebuilding of post Taliban government
in Afghanistan, said the Austrian Foreign Minister.
While addressing the 56 Sessions of the United Nations
General Assembly, Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed
her country's commitment to restoring peace in war-torn
regions of the world.
Being
the first woman to address the General Assembly, Ferrero
Waldner stressed the need to give greater recognition
to the role of women "in providing human security
and human development in all our societies."
She spoke of the
plight of the Afghan women who "bear
the brunt of violence and repression." Ferrero-Waldner
called for the conception of programs that would
enable the women of Afghanistan to have a say in
the governance of their country. "This should
start in the refugee camps," she told the
press at an intimate gathering of journalists.
In her speech to the General Assembly, earlier
yesterday morning she said, "This is essential
for a society that wishes to overcome the scars
of decades of conflict and war."
When asked if the
Afghan people would appreciate outside interference
in a post-Taliban society,
she said that the first thing to do would be to
educate. "They will not turn down humanitarian
aid, like they are receiving now," she said.
Even before the armed conflict, Afghanistan was
receiving humanitarian aid, which in her opinion,
should not stop.
"Afghanistan is a reminder of a conflict
neglected too long," she said during her address
at the UN. Though doubtful of their prolonged attention,
she hoped that the United States would continue
to remain active in providing aid to Afghanistan
after the armed conflict was over. In her address,
she said, "We must address the long-term societal
development at a local, national and global level."
During her speech
she informed the General Assembly that Central
Asia and the Middle East, under current
circumstances, are a priority for Austria. She
said the Middle East conflict has been on Austria's
agenda ever since the forming of the UN. Austria
feels that these areas "have a direct bearing
on the fight against terrorism in its present phase."
Ferrero-Waldner visited the Middle East earlier
this year following the terrorist attacks of September
11. Her tour consisted of Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
Her primary aim of visiting these countries was
to rally support of the Arab countries for the
fight against terrorism.
She called upon the UN to strengthen its capabilities
and programs in combating and preventing terrorism.
According to her this can be achieved by inter-sectoral
and inter-institutional cooperation.
Heads of state and government, and foreign ministers
will continue to address the UN General Assembly
till Friday.
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