Backing Annan's plan, Security Council sets up new UN mission in Afghanistan

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously today to establish a UN assistance mission for Afghanistan, endorsing the mandate and structure laid out earlier this month by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Set up for an initial 12-month period that began today, the mission would fulfil all tasks - including those related to human rights, the rule of law, and gender issues - that were entrusted to the UN under last year's Bonn Agreement, which paved the way for the country's political transition.

Known by its acronym UNAMA, it would also promote national reconciliation throughout the country, while managing all UN humanitarian activities there in coordination with the Afghan Interim Authority and successor administrations. The mission will be comprised of two "pillars" - one for political affairs, and the other for relief, recovery and reconstruction.

In today's resolution, the Council reaffirmed its support for Secretary-General's Special Representative, Lakhdar Brahimi, and endorsed his "full authority, in accordance with its relevant resolutions, over the planning and conduct of all United Nations activities in Afghanistan."

Stressing that the provision of focused recovery and reconstruction assistance can serve to promote the implementation of the Bonn Agreement, the Council urged bilateral and multilateral donors to coordinate their activities and provide aid through the Afghanistan Interim Administration and its successors and in close coordination with Mr. Brahimi.

The Council called on all Afghan parties to cooperate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its staff throughout the country.