"The contribution of $25 million to the Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund is subject to the establishment of appropriate governance arrangements and a role for substantial donors, like Australia, in the administration of the fund.
The fund will help support Afghan-led reintegration initiatives aimed at showing those who fight with and support the Taliban, that there are alternatives. They need to be provided with livelihoods and employment opportunities, a long-term secure future and health and education services that a nation-state can provide.
I have seen the suggestion from some commentators both here and overseas that this fund amounts to paying the Taliban.
I reject that suggestion, as has UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who said that the fund would ghelp the employment, the infrastructure and the organisation of a serious drive for political engagement that will offer long-term securityh.
