Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Afghanistan: Scope and Limitations

2010; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 34; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/09700161.2010.483149

1754-0054

Meena Singh Roy,

Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

Abstract Abstract Today, the situation in Afghanistan is mired with the geopolitics of regional and extra-regional players. Bringing stability to the country is a major challenge for the international community. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has the potential to play an important role, provided it is able to make some adjustments in its policy. Given its strengths and weaknesses, it is likely to focus more on economic, trade and security related issues within the Eurasian region rather than in Afghanistan. However, the geographical proximity of Afghanistan to the SCO member states, particularly, the Central Asian countries, will increasingly demand continued attention of its neighbouring countries to engage Afghanistan bilaterally. Despite the SCO's proposed commitments since 2008 to provide greater attention to the Afghan issue, it may not be able to play any significant role because of its inherent contradictions, economic limitations and greater emphasis on bilateral engagement with Afghanistan by the member countries other than a multilateral engagement. More importantly, Afghanistan's absence from the SCO and the US-NATO military presence in Afghanistan do not provide enough space for the SCO to play any meaningful role in Afghanistan. Notes 1. 'Security in Afghanistan', at http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3071&l=1&gclid=CLS6yJCYoJwCFUUwpAoduG19cw (Accessed August 12, 2009). 2. 'The Situation in Afghanistan and its Implications for International Peace and Security', Report of the Secretary General, UN General Assembly Security Council Sixty-Fourth Session, September 22, 2009, A/64/364-S/2009/475, at http://unama.unmissions.org/Portals/UNAMA/SG%20Reports/march172010-SG%20AFGHANISTAN%20REPORT.pdf. 3. http://unama.unmission.org (Accessed February 16, 2010). 4. 'International Afghan Conference Signals "New Beginning"', at http://www.rferl.org/articleprintview/1565188.html (Accessed April 1, 2009). 5. Communiqué of 'Afghanistan: The London Conference', Afghan Leadership, Regional Cooperation, International Partnership, at http://afghanistan.hmg.gov.uk/en/conference/communique/ (Accessed February 12, 2010). 6. Ibid. 7. Vladimir Paramonov and Alexey Strokov, 'The Reconstruction of Afghanistan and Role of Uzbekistan', Central Asian Series, 06/22(E), June 2006, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Conflict Studies Research Centre, England, p. 1. 8. The SCO comprises six full permanent members (Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan), four observers (India, Iran, Pakistan and Mongolia) and two dialogue partners (Belarus and Sri Lanka). 9. The grouping was earlier known as Shanghai Five, which was founded on April 26, 1996, with the signing of the Treaty on Deepening Military Trust in Border Regions in Shanghai by the heads of states of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. In 2001, they admitted Uzbekistan into the Shanghai Five and renamed it the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on June 15, 2001. 10. Zhao Huasheng, 'The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Afghan Issue', China International Studies, September–October 2009, pp. 157–172. 11. Central Asian regimes provided Western transport and military aircraft to over fly their territories and gave the lease of their airport facilities to the US and NATO allies. 12. Meena Singh Roy, 'Security Challenges in Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation', in Meena Singh Roy (ed.), International and Regional Security Issues: Indian and Iranian Perspectives, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi, 2009, p. 92. 13. Ibid.; Gennady Chufrin, 'The Changing Role of SCO in Central Asia', Paper presented at International Institute of Strategic Studies, London, January 27–28, 2006. 14. http://www.ln.mid.ru/bl.nsf/900b2c3ac91734634325698f002d9dcf/4295631aab51fc0343256c7 c00357033?OpenDocument (Accessed April 23, 2008). 15. In Kyrgyzstan the 'coloured revolution' resulted in a violent overthrow of the ruling regime and in Uzbekistan (in Andijan) an armed uprising was crushed by the use of military power of the state. 16. The coordination is carried out by an SCO secretariat officer and by an authorised senior diplomat of the Embassy of Afghanistan in China. The working languages of the Contact Group are Chinese, Russian and English. If necessary, Contact Group members can travel to Afghanistan for consultations with competent Afghan institutions. The activities of the group can be stopped at any time by mutual agreement. 'Protocol on Establishment of SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group between SCO and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan', at http://english.SCOSummit2006.org/en_bjzl/2006-04/21/contact_150.htm (Accessed April 12, 2008). 17. 'SCO, Afghanistan Need to Deepen Cooperation, Secretary General', at http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/6245785.html (Accessed April 2, 2008). 18. Omar Nissar, 'Afghanistan is Ready to Cooperate with SCO', at http://en.afghanistan.ru/doc/52.html (Accessed April 2, 2008). 19. http://www.sectsco.org/html/01651.html (Accessed August 17, 2007); Meena Singh Roy, 'The Bishkek Summit', at http://www.idsa.in/idsastrategiccomments/TheBishkekSummit_MSRoy_210807. 20. He reportedly stated, 'Stability in Afghanistan has to be found in the resolution of internal social issues rather than further militarisation of the country'. Ibid. 21. Ibid. 22. Dushanbe Summit Declaration, August 2008. 23. These included UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon; Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Mark Perrin de Brichambaut; US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon; and NA to Deputy Secretary General Martin Howard. There were also representatives from the Group of Eight Countries (G-8), the EU and the OIC. From Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Rangin Dagdar Spanta participated in the conference. 24. Vladimir Radyuhin, 'SCO: Towards a High-Profile Role in Afghanistan', The Hindu (Delhi), March 31, 2009, p. 8. 25. 'Russia: Lavrov's Full Statement at Opening of Conference on Afghanistan', Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia, in BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Former Soviet Union Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009); Vladimir Radyuhin, 'SCO: Towards a High-Profile Role', no. 24. 26. According to the Federal Drug Control Agency, Russia is the world's biggest heroin consumer and has been alarmed by a surge in trafficking of the opiate through Central Asia and across its territory. Twelve tonnes of pure heroin, enough for about 3 billion single doses, arrives in Russia each year from Afghanistan. 27. 'Russia: Lavrov's Full Statement', no. 25. 28. 'SCO Offers to Assist Afghanistan', at http://eng.24.kg/digest/221/ (Accessed April 2, 2009). 29. Vladimir Radyuhin, 'Russia Returns to Afghanistan, On Request', The Hindu (Delhi), June 26, 2008. 30. 'Afghanistan Minister Urges World Community to Join Efforts in Fighting Drug Mafia', BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Central Asia Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009). 31. 'Foreign Minister Spanta Addresses Special SCO Meeting on Afghanistan', at http://www.mfa.gov.af/detail.asp?Lang=e&Cat=1&ContID=976 (accessed April 12, 2009). 32. 'Kazakh Minister Urges Global Cooperation to Solve Afghan Problem', BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Central Asia Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk 33. Ibid. 34. 'Tajik Minister Says Force Cannot Resolve Afghan Crisis', ITAR-TASS, BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Central Asia Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009). 35. Ibid. 36. 'SCO in Better Position to Resolve Afghan Crisis', in BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Middle East Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009). 37. 'Iran Diplomat Calls for Cooperation over Afghanistan', in BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Middle East Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009). 38. The same aspirations were echoed by Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi once again during the Moscow conference. He said, 'We hope some day, we will be given an honour of becoming a full member of this organisation' in 'Pakistan Hopes to Join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation', BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Central Asia Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009). 39. In the view of Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg, '… Afghanistan will be a great source of strength to Pakistan to face any crisis and danger that it may encounter. In fact, the security of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan is interlinked and is indivisible…'. Mirza Aslam Beg, National Security Diplomacy and Defence, Foundation for Research on International Environment, National Development and Security, Rawalpindi, 1999, pp. 74–75. 40. For details, see Meena Singh Roy, 'Pakistan's Strategies in Central Asia', Strategic Analysis, 30(4), 2006, pp. 798–833. 41. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quereshi said this at the Moscow conference. 42. 'Pakistan Committed to Afghanistan's Stabilization – Minister', BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Former Soviet Union Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009). 43. 'Russia: Lavrov's Full Statement', no. 25. 44. The Russian envoy to NATO, Dmitriy Rogozin, made this statement. Reported in 'NATO Attending SCO Summit Shows it Sees Organization as Partner – Russian Envoy', BBC Monitoring Global Newsline – Soviet Union Political, March 28, 2009, at http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk (Accessed March 30, 2009). 45. Vladimir Radyuhin, 'SCO: Towards a High-Profile Role', no. 24. 46. 'Pakistan–Russia Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism meets in Moscow', at http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pakistan+Joint+Working+Group+on+Counter+Terorism+meets+in-90205761810. 47. Statement by S.K. Lambah, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India, at http://indianembassy.ru/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=585&Itemid=451 (Accessed May 10, 2009). 48. India has also built the 218 km Zaranj-Delaram road project at a cost of $150 million (Rs 750 crore). This was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in January 2009. 49. Vladimir Radyuhin, 'SCO: Towards a High-Profile Role', no. 24; Zhao Huasheng, no. 10. 50. Based on interaction with Sujit Dutta, Senior Fellow, IDSA on May 15, 2009 and Ambassador Rajiv Sikri, Former Secretary East, External Affairs Ministry, India, May 19, 2009. 51. Yekaterinburg Declaration of the Head of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, at http://en.sco2009.ru/docs/documents/yekatennburg_declaration. 52. Vladimir Paramonov and Alexey Strokov, no. 7. 53. 'Yekaterinburg Declaration', note 51. 54. Communiqué of 'Afghanistan: The London Conference', no. 5. 55. Richard N. Haass, 'What lies ahead after War on Terror', The Times of India, December 24, 2009, pp. 17. 56. Selig Harrison, 'How to Exit Afghanistan', at http://www.pana.ie/articles/exit_afganistan. html. 57. Based on interaction through email with Dr. Bakhtiyar Mirkasymov, Head of Asia Pacific Department, Russia's Institute for Strategic Studies, May 17, 2009. 58. 'The SCO Role in Afghanistan', at http://www.cfr.org/publication/18944/sco_role_in_afghanistan.html (Accessed January 21, 2010). 59. Zhao Huasheng, no. 10. 60. Based on interaction with K. Santhanam, Former Director General, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and current Director, India Central Asia Foundation, May 18, 2009 and Prof. Arun Mohanty, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Ambassador Rajiv Sikri, Former Secretary East, External Affairs Ministry, India, May 19, 2009. 61. Roundtable Discussion at IDSA with Mr. Bolat Nurgaliev, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, February 27, 2009. 62. 'Kazakhstan to Allocate $50 Mln to Train Afghan Specialists', at http://en.rian.ru/world/20091122/156941002.html (Accessed November 24, 2009). 63. 'Special Envoy of China on Afghanistan Reconstruction', People's Daily, January 23, 2006; 'China pledges nearly $10 million in Aid to Afghanistan reconstruction', People's Daily, January 23, 2006, in Niklas Swanstrom, Nicklas Norling and Zhang Li, 'China', in S. Frederick Starr (ed.), The Silk Road's Transport and Trade in Greater Central Asia, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute Silk Road Studies Program, Washington, 2007, p. 402. 64. AS Ministry of Communications, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, at http://www.moc.gov.af/vendors.asp., in Niklas Swanstrom et al., 'China', note 62., p. 403. 65. Niklas Swanstrom, et al., 'China', no. 62, p. 403. 66. Interactions with Prof. Alexender Lukin during the Third Meeting of the SCO Forum in Beijing, May 20, 2008. 67. Chen Weihua in New York, Li Xiaokun and Ali Yang in Beijing, 'US Troops Plan Set to Impact China', China Daily, 11(667), December 3, 2009, p. 1, p. 12. 68. Ibid., p.12. 69. 'Russia: Lavrov's Full Statement', no. 25. 70. 'SCO Offers to Assist Afghanistan', no. 28; Richard N. Haass, 'What Lies Ahead?', note 55. 71. M.P. Anil Kumar, 'New Delhi Must Hold Its Nerve in the Great Game', at http://news.rediff.com/column/2010/feb/19/new-delhi-must-hold-its-nerve-in-the-great-game.htm (Accessed February 27, 2010). 72. Yang Shu, 'Reassessing the SCO's Internal Difficulties: A Chinese Point of View', China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly, 7(3), 2009, pp. 17–23. Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program. 73. Based on deliberations in the Third Meeting of the SCO Forum in Beijing, May 20, 2008. 74. 'NATO Says No Deadline for Afghan Troop Withdrawal', at http://www.rferl.org/content/NATO_Says_No_Deadline_For_Afghan_Troop_Withdrawal/1910920.html (Accessed December 23, 2009). 75. Ibid. 76. Zhao Huasheng, no. 10, p. 164. 77. Joint Staff Advisory Note on the Poverty Reduction Strategy PaperAnnual Progress Report, February 2010, IMF Country Report No. 10/39, at http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr1039.pdf (Accessed March 19, 2010).