"The Government intends to continue its efforts to promote stability and democracy in Afghanistan," said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen. It has therefore been decided that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to make an immediate allocation of NOK 90 million to the country. The Norwegian allocation was announced today by Mr Petersen during his meeting with the chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration, Hamid Karzai, in Kabul.

As chair of the Afghanistan Support Group (ASG), the Minister emphasized the close cooperation between the donor countries and the Interim Administration in his talks in Kabul. He expressed his support for the peace process headed by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi. So far this year Norway has provided NOK 24 million in connection with the start of the new school year for Afghan children, and NOK 52 million through the UN in support of the Interim Authority.

2002 of NOK 350 million that was pledged in Tokyo at the Ministerial Meeting for the Reconstruction of Afghanistan in January. This includes humanitarian assistance, transitional aid and more long-term development assistance. The allocation of NOK 90 million announced today is part of the total Norwegian contribution for

Among the measures given priority by Norway is the rehabilitation of the health services. Through the Red Cross, Norway is supporting the re-establishment of a women’s clinic and the resumption of ambulance services in Kabul. Norway is also supporting the efforts of the High Commissioner for Refugees to repatriate and reintegrate Afghan refugees, who are gradually beginning to return. Food supplies to the hungry are being assisted through the World Food Programme. Anti-personnel mines are an enormous humanitarian problem in Afghanistan and particularly affect civilians. Norway is continuing its long-term assistance to mine clearance programmes and mine victims.