Stephen Smith there has been quite a considerable contribution financially here today, what is the money ostensibly for?
Mr Smith: It’s to help the Afghanistan Government and the Afghan people in the capacity to run their own affairs. There’s a mature military contribution in Afghanistan from the international community, including Australia. What this conference has been about has been maturing our political strategy and the civilian development assistance capacity building contribution. So I’ve indicated $50 million for the Afghan Reconstruction Fund, for the building of infrastructure and the like, done through the World Bank and $25 million for the new Peace and Reintegration Fund, because there has to be in Afghanistan a political approach, a political resettlement and a reintegration into mainstream Afghan society of those people who are happy to eschew violence, lay down their arms and comply with the Afghan constitution. Journalist: What makes you think that the Taliban are willing to do that? Mr Smith: Well we know from all our advice – and it’s not just Australia, it’s the international communit
