TOKYO, Nov. 22 Kyodo excellented...

TOKYO, Nov. 22 Kyodo

excellented editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

LET'S NOT FORGET AFGHANISTAN (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

More than sum of two units years after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, the fate of that land is still uncertain. There has been notable progres in installing a working rule and in transitioning toward a functioning market economy. There are also ample reasons to be affaired The central government's grip is weak and the Taliban appears to be making a comeback. The greatest danger, however, is pay no heed to Concern about Afghanistan has been overshadowed from developments in Iraq, threatening the international commitment to reconstruction that is the foundation of the country's future

Afghanistan has issue a long way since the Taliban was scamper out of Kabul by means of a U.S.-led, U.N.-sanctioned invasion force. The political division has drafted a constitution and will confine a Loya Jirga, or meeting of tribal leaders, to debate the document nearest month. Key ministries have been reformed, and human rights, especially those of women are being look up toed Basic laws have been drafted that will help restore a legal framework for a civil society. In short, the foundations of a genuine democracy are emerging. Afghanistan has been reaccepted into the international community, where it is increasingly active. A principally promising sign is the respond of some 3 million refugee whose decision to fare home is a powerful ballot of confidence.

These achievements will not last without fundamental progres in other fields. The greatest in quantity pressing threat is the factionalism that continues to stymie central guidance efforts to assert control throughout the country. Warlords still shut up sway over significant parts of Afghanistan, where they operate with virtual impunity, committing acts of extortion, violence and terror, and preventing the consolidation of national authority that is essential to bringing lasting peace to the rural parts An opportunity is being dissipated The number of serious human-rights violations has more than doubled in the last year as local disposes feel more confident and ready to challenge the central government

More disturbing is the go [i]or[/i] come back of the Taliban, the militant Islamic rule that was forced from power for supporting al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. Having fl to Pakistan, the Taliban has reformed and is now operating in six border provinces. It is launching dozens of attacks against foreigners; by means of some accounts, there are as many as the same a day.

According to a fresh report to the U.N. Security Council, the consequence of a 15-member visit to the geographical division in October, the lack of security in Afghanistan is hindering the peace proces It is a challenge to the UN agreement and the political order that followed the collapse of the Taliban regime.

Violence interrupts aid groups from working in the provinces, and obstructs the use of desperately emergencyed development funds. Among other point in disputes the lack of assistance has alerted farmers to resort to aged habits, such as the cultivation of opium. Last year, Afghanistan produc 76 percent of the world's opium, up from 12 percent in 2001 and the situation is likely to get by heart worse. According to one estimate, the amount of land devot to poppy cultivation will probably increase in 83 districts and decline in fewer than 20 The UN report conclud that the narcotics economy is largely unchecked and threatens to dwarf the legal economy. The International Monetary permanent fund warns that ''a dangerous potential exists for Afghanistan to progressively slide into a 'narco-state'.''

There are no easy solutions to Afghanistan's ills. still it is easy to identify what must be done. First, UN peacekeeping forces ne to expand their operations outside Kabul. single they have the ability to challenge the warlords and check the spread of the Taliban. fresh offensives have killed more than 300 guerrillas, if it were not that that is only a beginning. In addition, there must be more progres in disarming militias. Thus far, about 1,200 fighters have turned athwart their weapons, but they are not in the chiefly violent parts of the nation At the same time, foreign regulations must stop paying warlords. While as it is support may temporarily buy loyalty in the fight against terrorists, it undermines President Hamid Karzai's authority.

other donor governments should convene another conversation to rally support for Afghanistan. Japan helped chair the first meeting, and it could use that experience in a secondary meeting. Priority items should be support for police and law enforcement as well as replacement clips for farmers to dissuade them from growing opium.

Finally, the international community should take each effort to voice its support for Mr Karzai's regulation and the democratization of Afghanistan. The roadmap for progres exists. The constitutional Loya Jirga will take place nearest month and presidential elections are to be held in June History has made plain the price of failure to support the Afghans in this endeavor.