Wednesday, August 24 2005 11:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: India has appealed to the international community to help 'shut-off' influx of extremist elements into Afghanistan from across the border, saying their objective was not only to disrupt coming elections but de-stabilise the country.

Without naming Pakistan, India's United Nations Ambassador Nirupam Sen said, "It is clear that these extremist elements and their sponsors have decided to attack 'soft targets' such as candidates, election officers, aid workers and local religious leaders."

"But it appears that elections were not the only target of these groups, their objective being the long-term de-stabilisation of Afghanistan. The tap that controls the influx of extremist elements must not only be closed for the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections, it must be shut off for good," he stressed.

Sen strongly backed the recent assessment of the United Nations that international response to thwart the 'de-stabilisation strategy' of foreign extremist elements could not be limited to operations on the ground.

"It is necessary to resolutely attack the financing, safe havens where they are trained and the network that support them. The recent bombings in London have one again highlighted the international ramifications of terrorist networks and infrastructure sustaining them," he said.

Intervening in the debate on the situation of Afghanistan in the Security Council, Sen said the continuing external support to extremist elements is also aimed at undermining the Central Authority of the Afghan Government.

These incidents of violence prevent expansion of State Authority, hinder reconstruction efforts and stall democratic process, Sen told the 15-member Council yesterday (August 23, 2005).

In this context, he pointed to Monday's (August 22, 2005) statement of the UN mission in Afghanistan, which had provided the 'troubling assessment' that despite positive impact of campaigning and voter registration ahead of the Afghan elections, the threat of 'violent attacks would have an impact on the process.'

"Presidential elections in October 2004," he said, "clearly showed that given the necessary will, such cross border terrorism can be controlled and contained."

Stressing the need to speed up efforts at rebuilding Afghan National Army and Police Force, he said India is ready to provide any assistance for the purpose. "India remains fully supportive of the efforts aimed at expansion and consolidation of the authority of the Central Government all over Afghanistan."

NATO-led International Security Forces (ISAF) and United States-led Coalition forces may be required at this state but indigenous Afghan security structures must be put in place as soon as possible to address the threat to national security, both internal and external, he told the Council.

"The enormous task of rebuilding the country," he said, "can only be achieved through united efforts of Afghan leadership and its people."

Sen's remarks were significant in the context of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's recent report that Afghanistan today is suffering from a level of insecurity, especially in the south and parts of the east, not seen since the departure of the Taliban.