London praises Afghan achievements

UNITED NATIONS, July 1 (UPI) -- The Afghan government deserves praise for its improvements in police reform, agriculture and its conduct in preparation for national elections, London said.

John Sawers, the British envoy to the United Nations, briefed the U.N. Security Council on progress made in Afghanistan, issuing sweeping praise for the Afghan government.

Sawers applauded the improvements in agriculture as Afghanistan moves closer to becoming self-sufficient in terms of wheat production.

Meanwhile, police reform continues to make progress as the Afghan Independent Election Commission works in coordination with U.N. organizations to prepare for national elections.

In terms of opium cultivation and production, the British envoy said poppy cultivation declined 19 percent in 2008 compared with the previous year, with more than half of the Afghan provinces now poppy-free.

He cautioned that Afghanistan remains challenged by al-Qaida and the Taliban insurgency, as well as ineffective state institutions, but pledged continued support for Afghanistan's long-term sustainability.

"We will not defeat extremism and defeat the insurgency if we cannot improve the daily lives of ordinary Afghans," he said.