The Belgian device in Afghanistan. Withdrawal in good order. Check for 12 million euros, subject to conditions

(BRUSSELS2) Some of the Belgians deployed in Afghanistan are returning soon. A fully planned withdrawal and “ coordinated as stated by Pieter de Crem, the Minister of Defense during a press briefing (where B2 was present) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Chicago. " There is no race to the exit ". 270 to 280 people (about 240 soldiers + 30 support and administrative) deployed at Kabul airport (Kaia) will return this fall - and not this summer as envisaged for a moment. They will be replaced by Portuguese (Read also: The Belgians withdraw half of their workforce from Afghanistan in the summer of 2012). As for the material there are still some on the spot, but not really in number added the Minister. Cost of this withdrawal: 4 million euros. The rest of the soldiers deployed in Kandahar and Kunduz will remain there, normally until the end of 2014. The F-16 planes which carry out missions for NATO will thus be operational until that date. " The government agreement is clear » explained P. de Crem; " we maintain the planes until 2014 ».

After 2014: training but no protection forces...

On the other hand, for after 2014, nothing is yet detailed. “We will have a presence after 2014, in the form of funding, cooperation, police, but that remains to be defined” said Didier Reynders, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Chicago. " We will have to focus our activity above all on the development and consolidation of the State. We can also promote regional integration. Europe also serves as an example in the field ". What seems certain, at least today, is that there will be no more " combat duties » after 2014. Belgium could thus “provide instructors for the police, and why for the military”, said an official. The protection forces will be ensured “probably by the Americans who will maintain significant air support, with the British. But Belgium will not participate. »

12 million on the table per year for Afghanistan: under conditions

On the financial side, there is one certainty: Belgium will contribute 12 million euros per year to the consolidation of Afghanistan. But the government does not want this money to go to a bottomless pit. It must be intended for certain functions. Elio di Rupo, the Belgian Prime Minister recalled it. " We want this money to have a specific destination ". The destination still needs to be detailed. " It's true, I understand that some would prefer a blank check and do what they want with it. (But) it is still us who decide. We are not the only country to take this kind of attitude. Many countries (wish) that the allocated amounts will be dedicated to particular actions. This financial support is also conditional on a certain government process. " Belgium and several Heads of State reiterated their demands with regard to Afghanistan. Afghanistan must take itself in hand, restore the rule of law and fight the Taliban (but also) ensure the fight against opium and against corruption”. “The Afghan authorities must also, with the help of the allies, concretely improve the lives of Afghans, with roads, bridges, and jobs. The government must respect democracy, human rights, the equality of women, the education of children”.

Personalized self-sufficient ISAF forces

This certainty does not prevent ministers from expressing a certain uneasiness. Didier Reynders, who was recently in Afghanistan, expressed this publicly, struck by the importance of the security measures around the sites. " To see the level of security which remains very high around the international troops, we feel like a malaise. The walls and security rules have never stopped rising over the years he explains. This is not really a sign of improvement in the situation, especially since these military sites live in " autarky (...) with very little contact with the rest of the country”. " We also feel the lack of cooperation and the lack of contact with the Afghan population. “, the foreign contingents thus remaining caulked in their barracks. " All the equipment is imported: the catering comes from the United Kingdom, even the furniture is imported testifies a Belgian official.