Annan hails 'remarkably successful' Tokyo conference on Afghanistan recovery

A major international meeting to raise funds for the recovery effort in Afghanistan concluded today in Tokyo announcing almost $2 billion in pledges and contributions for 2002, which prompted United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to describe the forum as "remarkably successful."

The Secretary-General, who ended today his official programme in Japan, thanked the host country for helping to organize the two-day International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan that he said had "gone very well."

A total of over $4.5 billion in pledges and contributions was announced in Tokyo, in addition to $1.8 billion pledged for the current year.

Mr. Annan expressed hope that there would be sufficient funds for the recurrent costs of the Interim Administration in Kabul and praised its Chairman, Hamid Karzai, for welcoming international auditors to see that the money was well spent. "That was just the right approach and the right tone," the Secretary-General said.

In a television interview afterwards, Mr. Annan was asked what kind of Afghanistan he would like to see in 10 years. He responded that he looked forward to "an Afghanistan that is stable, an Afghanistan that has become a more or less normal state." He then added, "And an Afghanistan that is also left alone - no meddling from the neighbours…."

Before his departure for Pakistan, the Secretary-General met today with former Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who is influential in financial policy. He also took part in a luncheon hosted by former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, an influential voice in foreign affairs. Also attending the luncheon was the head of the broadcasting giant NHK, Katsuji Ebisawa, and the CEO of the soy sauce producer Kikkoman, Yuzaburo Mogi, who is an active participant of the UN Global Compact initiative promoted by Mr. Annan.