The U.N. General Assembly just concluded a debate on Afghanistan. However, beyond the tried and true political support and serious military commitments from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands among many others, we should listen to different voices and their views about this very complex situation. Perhaps we can engage some of these quiet players towards solving the problem.

Turkey’s Ambassador Baki Ilkin perhaps said it best, “Contrary to the doom and gloom scenarios that sometimes appear in the international media, we are not at all pessimistic about the prospects in Afghanistan. Despite continuing challenges mainly in the security, counter-narcotics and the governance fields, we are also aware of the progress being made on many fronts.”

He stressed, “We are committed to help Afghanistan build a secure, stable and prosperous country. Turkey shares unique ties with Afghanistan and thus our commitment to see this country thrive and prosper is deep rooted ... we urge everyone concerned not to be discouraged by some temporary setbacks which are only inevitable in a war-torn country.”

Ambassador Ilkin stated unequivocally, “Of course, the responsibility to achieve this ultimate objective first and foremost rests on the shoulders of the Afghan people and their government; and they have a long road ahead of them.”

Building on a long standing military commitment, Turkey currently has 800 soldiers in the country, has earmarked US$200 million in development aid, and has built/repaired 34 elementary and secondary schools and four hospitals. As a secular Muslim country, Turkey presents an important model for Afghan development. The large and well-trained Turkish military moreover, experienced in some of the very same mountainous terrain as in Afghanistan, should be encouraged to offer wider troop support, especially since the Ankara government will soon assume a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Japan, too, has played an extraordinary role on the humanitarian side. Addressing the assembly, Tokyo’s delegate Norihiro Okuda stated that there has been clear progress. Since the toppling of the Taliban in 2001, the number of students attending school has soared from 1 million to more than 5 million in five years. As a major development aid donor, Tokyo has pledged US$2 billion dollars. Also soon to gain Security Council non-permanent membership, Japan can play a wider role in supporting humanitarian development.

India, a not-so-distant neighbor from Afghanistan, naturally fears the regional fallout from the ongoing conflict and inevitable spillover from Islamic fundamentalism which often clashes with Hindus and Christians.

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