Wednesday, 22 July 2009
On July 29 Moscow will host the international congress on "Peace and stability in Afghanistan". The representatives of Afghan diaspora from Russia, former USSR, Europe, USA, India, Iran and Pakistan are going to discuss the future of Afghanistan. The idea of the congress was initiated by Russian Center for modern Afghanistan studies (CMAS) and Center of supporting Afghan citizens, Moscow-based Vremya novostei reports.
The congress is also going to be attended by guests from Afghanistan - the representatives of major political forces of the country, the Minister for refugee affairs, several parliament members, the advisors of Khamid Karzai and his opponents at presidential elections, scheduled to August 20. Omar Nessar, the head of Center for modern Afghanistan studies (CMAS) informed Vremya novostei that the organization committee would not like to see it as pre-election event. Nonetheless, it is impossible to avoid such discussions three week prior to elections.
According to Nessar, the upcoming event must demonstrate "tremendous constructive potential of big and influential Afghan diaspora". The Head of CMAS mention Bonn conference for Afghanistan, dated 2001, that built the ways for post-conflict rehabilitation of the country, where diaspora played very important role.
"The organizers of Moscow international congress are affirmed that the regulation of Afghan crisis must be taken care of by Afghans themselves", CMAS informed. "The task of the global community not to undermine social initiatives and political progress of Afghanistan, but to facilitate the consolidation of Afghan society, support united efforts of Afghan nation to rebuild long-suffering state".
The Afghan congress participants expect busy program in Moscow. They will meet one of Russian Muslim community leaders, the administration of Chamber of Commerce and Industry that actively contributes to the cooperation between Moscow and Kabul.
