KUNDUZ CITY - United Nations General Secretary's Special Envoy for Afghanistan on Monday said foreign troops' withdrawal would have no impact on the world's body mission in the country.
Yan Kubis told a press conference in Kunduz city, the capital of northern Kunduz province, their mission in Afghanistan was not dependent on the withdrawal of foreign troops and it would continue beyond 2014.
He said the UN's mission remained focused on civilian fronts in order to ensure good governance, improved justice, social justice and human rights, particularly of women and children.
Kubis said the word's body supported the Afghan-led peace talks and the security transition process and it would continue cooperating with Afghans until they need it.
He said the UN might close some offices in provinces, but that move would not mean any cut in assistance. Kubis said he met with local officials and discussed with them the security transition and the peace process.
Calling the security transition a great achievement for Afghanistan, Kubis hoped the process would yield positive results.
He recalled last year's attacks on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) office in Kuduz by protestors, saying such attacks could not hamper their activities.
He described the attacks a wrong action, saying UNAMA has nothing to do with military issues. "The mission respects sacred places of Islam and all religions," he said, adding UN's activities in Muslim and non-Muslim countries were aimed at strengthening the rule of law, human rights, good governance and helping people. "Therefore, there should be no attacks against UN staffers," he said.
Governor Mohammad Anwar Jagdalak on the occasion promised measures at preventing future attacks against UN offices.
"We want the UNAMA office to be shifted to a peaceful area. I believe residents of Kunduz city will not be deceived by the enemies again to attack UN offices,'' he said.
The governor said security forces in Kunduz were ready to take over the security responsibility from their foreign counterparts as part of the security transition.
However, he called for more equipment and training to Afghan forces head of assuming the responsibility. (Pajhwok)