Donors pledge $1.5 billion to Afghanistan

Donor countries have pledged over $1.5 billion to rebuild Afghanistan.

Donor countries have pledged over $1.5 billion to rebuild Afghanistan.

The European Union, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United States unveiled the pledges before delegates from more than 60 countries and international organisations.

They were gathered to start a lengthy reconstruction process that aid experts estimate will require some $15 billion over 10 years.

"The people of Afghanistan are also victims of the Taliban and al-Qaeda," said Japanese Prime Minister Mr Junichiro Koizumi in announcing Tokyo's pledge of $500 million for two-and-a-half year.

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"In order to eradicate terrorism, we must eliminate conditions that allow terrorism to take root".

US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell told the conference the United States would provide $296 million in aid this fiscal year and said there would be more to come in later years.

The European Commission pledged €200 million in 2002 and said it aimed to provide €1 billion over the next five years.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen, announced Ireland would donate €12 million to the programme over three years.

Saudi Arabia, a former ally of the Taliban, promised $220 million over three years.