AFGHANISTAN / DE MISTURA

UN's new chief in Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura discusses preparations for the country's upcoming elections and the importance of national reconcilitation at his first press conference in Kabul. UNAMA

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:31
• Production Date: 23 March 2010
• Asset Language: Original
• Subject Topical: POLITICAL AFFAIRS; LAW; INTERNATIONAL LAW; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; POLITICAL MOVEMENTS; PEACE AND SECURITY; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; ELECTIONS
• Geographic Subject: AFGHANISTAN
• MAMS Id: U100323h

Description

STORY: AFGHANISTAN / DE MISTURA
TRT: 1:31
SOURCE: UNAMA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 23 MARCH 2010, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, press conference
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Staffan de Mistura, United Nations Special Representative, Afghanistan:
“This is a good chance to turn the page of the past and the perception and the feeling that the elections in the past did not go well. And also for the UN to be able to concretely support and help the Afghans to feel comfortable about the electoral process but also sharing the responsibility with other stakeholders and particularly Afghans about what should be a credible outcome.”
3. Cutaway, journalists
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Staffan de Mistura, United Nations Special Representative, Afghanistan:
“As we have been – and I will continue – reminding all concerned that civilian casualties are to be avoided because Afghans have suffered enough. And that has been the case when ISAF has been having air raids or night raids producing very negative effects. We are equally going to raise our voice and speak out when the Taliban or any other group is producing civilian victims.”
5. Cutaway, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Staffan de Mistura, United Nations Special Representative, Afghanistan:
“At the moment we are respecting the fact this should be an Afghan-led possible dialogue on reconciliation and that the UN is ready and available to facilitate it when and if it is the right time.”
7. Wide shot, press conference

Storyline

United Nations (UN) new Special Representative for Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura held his first press conference today (23 March) in Kabul to discuss preparations for the country's upcoming elections and the importance of national reconciliation.

De Mistura emphasized on the importance of helping Afghans take full charge of their country’s development, political affairs and peace-making efforts.

On the upcoming elections to be held in September this year, he added that now was a “good chance to turn the page of the past and the perception and the feeling that the elections in the past did not go well.”

De Mistura replaced Kai Eide who left the mission after the last election in the country.

On the security situation in the country, he said that the UN will raise its voice and “speak out when the Taliban or any other group is producing civilian victims.”

He said that reconciliation with armed opposition groups is needed and that the UN respects that “this should be an Afghan-led possible dialogue on reconciliation.” He added that UN is “ready and available to facilitate it when and if it is the right time.”

The UN Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year yesterday (22 March). The new mandate calls on the mission to assist the Afghan authorities conduct credible and inclusive elections.