Afghanistan must not be allowed to remain "a failed state", the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, told the United Nations Security Council in New York yesterday.
He said Ireland was "determined that the international process impelled by the current crisis should bring an end to the misery of Afghans and provide them with a new beginning".
He reiterated the Government's hope that the military campaign would achieve its objectives as quickly and humanely as possible.
"The UN must co-ordinate a concerted international effort to assist the people of Afghanistan in establishing a broad-based and multi-ethnic government. This effort must be accompanied by a long-term comprehensive and generous programme of support for the post-military rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country," he said.
Ireland believed that, in parallel with the military campaign, "a visible and fully effective strategy must be put in place for addressing the humanitarian needs of the innocent people of Afghanistan".
Noting that deliveries had increased substantially, he stressed that the distribution of humanitarian assistance "must be our absolute priority, especially with the imminent onset of winter".
There must also be a focus on long-term political objectives in Afghanistan: "Only a fully-representative and broad-based government will express the will of all its people and ensure long-term peace and security in the country. Such a government must comprise representatives of all ethnic groups, including Uzbeks, Tajiks, Chazaras and Pashtuns."
Ireland strongly considered that "the process should be led by the UN". Endorsement of the post-Taliban government would be "an indispensable guarantee of its legitimacy", Mr Cowen said.
The Security Council has adopted an additional resolution on terrorism: Resolution 1377 reiterates the council's "unequivocal condemnation" and proposes the preparation of "model laws" to assist member-states in their fight against terrorism.