News Afghan reconstruction conference judged a success; Karzai given 'hope'

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The international community pledged more than $4.5 billion (¥600 billion) in aid to Afghanistan on Jan. 22.

At the end of a two-day conference on Afghan reconstruction in Tokyo, the total amount of aid pledged for the initial year matched the amount requested by Hamid Karzai, chairman of the Afghan interim administration

"We were given hope," Karzai was quoted as saying

While the interim authority noted that it holds primary responsibility for reconstruction, the international community pledged to provide support and closely coordinate with Afghanistan and its people.

"Each nation demonstrated not only its concern but also determination to help Afghanistan with clear figures of assistance outlay," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters Jan. 22. Japan will give $500 million (¥66.5 billion) over 30 months.

Participants agreed to set up a trust fund, to be run by the World Bank, that will pool money from smaller donors and assist in areas not covered by bilateral aid projects and international organizations.

The World Bank and three other international organizations will be members of the fund's financial management body and will work closely with the Afghan interim administration and the United Nations.

アフガン復興支援会議閉幕

60ヵ国と22の国際機関が参加して東京で開かれたアフガニスタン復興支援会議が1月22日閉幕した。国際社会は45億ドル以上の拠出を約束し、今後継続的に支援していくことを確認した。

Shukan ST: Feb. 1, 2001

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