New Afghan rules bar military aid-giving

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The United Nations says NATO forces in Afghanistan have agreed to new guidelines meant to stop the blurring of distinctions between soldiers and aid workers.

Humanitarian relief organizations have long complained their efforts are hampered by soldiers performing relief work as a cover to achieve military aims, sowing distrust of legitimate humanitarian help among Afghans. But the new U.N. agreement, called the Civ-Mil Coordination Guidelines, could help end that situation, officials said.

"These guidelines will prevent a blurring of the lines between the role of military and humanitarian actors, preventing humanitarian space from being squeezed further," said U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan spokesman Aleem Siddique. "Recognizing the distinct role that we have to play will be a vital component of protecting our impartiality and opening up humanitarian space for us."

The guidelines insist that aid-giving not be used a military tactic to "win hearts and minds."

NATO spokesman Mark Laity said international force commanders in Kabul had accepted the guidelines, adding, "Subordinate commanders are expected to implement it."