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Agreement on German Aid to Rebuild Police Force in Afghanistan

Kabul: German police officers are helping train officers in Afghanistan.

Federal Interior Minister Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble and Interior Minister Zarar Ahmad Moqbel of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan signed a new headquarters and status agreement in Berlin on October 23 for the German project office charged with rebuilding the Afghan police force in Kabul. Under the agreement, the work to be performed by Germany, which is serving as the lead nation in the establishment of a constitutional and functional police force, is placed on a new legal basis. A total of 40 German federal and state police officers will carry out this demanding task in Kabul and at the field offices in Mazar-e Sharif, Kunduz, and Feyzabad.

Commenting on the agreement, Interior Minister Schäuble said: "Germany has for over four years been making a decisive contribution to rebuilding an independent and operational Afghan police force. I am pleased about the high regard that Afghanistan has shown for the work of our police officers through the signing of the headquarters and status agreement."

Academy: Germany has supported the reconstruction of the police academy and training centers.

The agreement takes into account the considerable progress achieved in rebuilding the Afghan police force since the signing of the first agreement in March 2002. Both the police infrastructure and the state of training, in particular of Afghan police officers, has reached a markedly higher level. This has changed the nature of the tasks to be performed. Cooperation with police officers from third countries is also beginning to grow in importance.

On Duty: An Afghan Policeman.

Even though the security situation in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly more difficult, Germany remains committed to its involvement in Afghanistan. Federal Minister Schäuble stressed the need, "for Germany to continue to help strengthen the Afghan people's trust in democratic government institutions and thus deprive terrorism of a breeding ground."

The German commitment will in future focus on consultation of high-ranking Afghan decision-makers, including also Interior Minister Moqbel; implementation of organizational reforms worked out together with Afghanistan; expansion of the police force to all Afghan provinces, with the participation of international forces; and continuation of training and equipment support.

Germany has made available roughly € 70 million since 2002 to rebuild the police forces in Afghanistan and is supporting Afghanistan in the coordination of international donor contributions.

October 24, 2006

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Germany's commitment to the rebuilding of the Afghan police force.

Government & Politics