Afghanistan Conference Ends With Pledge On Rebuilding

Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta (left) in Berlin on January 29 (epa) January 31, 2007 -- A two-day conference of international donors for Afghanistan has ended with delegates reaffirming their commitment to "more aggressive and determined rebuilding."

A joint statement says participants addressed Afghan hopes for "accelerated 'Afghanization'" of its army and police.

It gave no commitment about channeling more aid through the Afghan government.

Both the United States and European Union have proposed new aid packages for Afghanistan in the past week.

Human Rights Watch said in a report released on January 30 that little progress was made in 2006 in providing Afghans with basic needs like food, electricity, water, and health care.

(AFP, Reuters)