ＮＡＴＯ会議 長期的アフガン支援が必要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 24, 2012)
Long-term assistance key to achieving Afghan peace
ＮＡＴＯ会議　長期的アフガン支援が必要だ（5月23日付・読売社説）

Leaders from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ended their meeting in Chicago on Monday after affirming the deadline for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and pledging to provide long-term assistance for the troubled country.
　アフガニスタンからの撤収期限を確認し、同時にアフガンへの長期的な支援継続も約束した。

The Chicago Summit Declaration adopted at the meeting clearly states that the combat mission of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) "will be concluded at the end of 2014" and the public safety forces of the Afghan government will start leading the combat missions in the middle of next year.
　米国のシカゴで開かれた北大西洋条約機構（ＮＡＴＯ）首脳会議が、そんな成果を上げて閉幕した。
　採択されたシカゴ宣言は、国際治安支援部隊（ＩＳＡＦ）の戦闘任務は「２０１４年末に完了する」と明記し、来年半ば以降、アフガン政府の治安部隊が戦闘任務を主導する、とうたっている。

To make this possible, NATO must make greater efforts to bolster the training and equipment of the Afghan force.
　それを可能にするよう、ＮＡＴＯは、アフガン部隊の訓練や装備強化に一層努めるべきである。

Despite the presentation of a deadline for the pullout of ISAF combat units, there is no sign of combat with the Taliban coming to an end. To realize the withdrawal as scheduled, improvement of public safety is needed more than anything else.
　ＩＳＡＦ戦闘部隊の撤収期限は示されても、旧支配勢力タリバンとの戦闘が終わる気配はない。予定通り帰還するには、何より治安の改善が必要だ。

===

Transition to self-reliance

Last year, the ISAF began a full transfer of security control to the Afghan side. We urge Afghan forces to enhance their capabilities and become able to stand on their own feet as soon as possible.
　ＩＳＡＦは昨年からアフガン側へ治安権限の本格的な移譲を進めている。アフガン部隊の能力向上と早期自立が求められよう。

Given the protracted hostilities and the growing number of victims, public opinion has grown louder among NATO member nations for the early withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan.
　戦闘の長期化と犠牲者の増加に伴い、ＮＡＴＯ各国では自国軍部隊の早期撤収を求める世論が強まっている。

French President Francois Hollande pledged during his election campaign to advance the pullout of his country's troops by one year to "by the end of this year." He reaffirmed this commitment during the NATO meeting.
　オランド仏大統領は、選挙戦で、仏軍部隊の撤収を予定より１年前倒しして「年内」と公約し、首脳会議でも明言した。

But if France resorts to early withdrawal without taking into consideration the Afghan situation, there is concern other countries will follow suit. If NATO's solidarity is weakened by this, it will only embolden the Taliban.
　だが、現地情勢を勘案しないまま早急な撤収に走れば、追随する国が出る恐れもある。ＮＡＴＯの結束が緩むことになって、タリバンを勢いづかせるだけだ。

Afghanistan should never again be a hotbed for international terrorist organizations. Cooperation in the international community is indispensable in this regard.
　アフガンを再び国際テロ組織の温床に逆戻りさせてはならない。国際社会の連携が欠かせない。

The Taliban is deeply rooted in local tribal communities. Even if the country is brought under control militarily, it will not bring about real peace. The United States must continue exploring the possibility of holding dialogues with moderate elements of the Taliban, thereby laying the foundation for realizing national reconciliation in Afghanistan.
　タリバンは、地元部族社会に深く根を張っている。軍事的に制圧できたとしても、真の平和は訪れまい。米国は引き続き、タリバン穏健派との対話を探る努力を続け、アフガンの国民融和実現へ、環境整備を図らねばならない。

===

Manifestation of political will

NATO has decided to provide strong long-term assistance even beyond 2014. This decision is significant as the manifestation of its political will to help stabilize the Afghan situation.
　ＮＡＴＯは、１５年以降も「強力かつ長期的な支援」を提供することを決めた。アフガンの安定を後押しする政治的意思を表明したものとして意義は大きい。

In his talks with NATO officials after the summit meeting, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba expressed the Japanese government's policy of continuing assistance for the Afghan security forces. He sought NATO's cooperation in achieving a successful result in the International Conference on Economic Assistance to Afghanistan to be held in Tokyo in July.
　首脳会議後のＮＡＴＯとの会合で、玄葉外相は、日本としてもアフガン治安部隊への支援を継続する方針を表明した。７月に東京で開くアフガン支援国際会議の成功に向け、協力も求めた。

The Democratic Party of Japan-led government has been implementing a pledge it made after its inauguration in 2009 to provide about 5 billion dollars (about 400 billion yen) in assistance to Afghanistan over five years from that year. It is necessary to examine whether the assistance has been provided effectively.
　日本は、民主党政権になって、０９年から５年間で約５０億ドル（約４０００億円）の支援を約束し、実施中だ。実効ある支援になっているのか、検証が必要である。

The government should call on the Afghan government, which is suspected to be riddled with corruption, to become more transparent in revealing how it utilizes the aid it receives.
　汚職体質が問題視されるアフガン政府には、使途の透明性向上を求めていくべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 23, 2012)
（2012年5月23日01時27分 読売新聞）