Foreign Secretary answers questions about Afghanistan via twitter
The Foreign Secretary answers questions about the Kabul International Conference and the region during his visit to Afghanistan.
![](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/default_news_organisation_image_data/file/102/s300_Main-building-gov.uk.jpg)
Twitter users were invited by the Foreign Secretary to send in their questions using the hashtag #FSinKabul.
Read what Mr Hague was asked and answered below:
The conference has gone well and I will now answer some of your questions
OpEd_Letter Q: How can we empower the farming of productive crops making it more viable than poppy seeds?
- @OpEd_Letter Enforce the law, give aid, encourage alternative livelihoods and provide secure access to markets.
DarklightDave Q: what’s the food like?
- @DarklightDave Very good. Had a very nice lunch with Governor Nuristani of Herat yesterday.
Harry_Kelly Q: Can you make any claim of progress for Afghanistan as a whole or regional security after nearly 9 yrs of war?
- @Harry_Kelly We have kept Al Qaida out, and 80 countries are helping build a better Afghanistan.
raffpantucci Q: Sir - are you talking to China about Afgh and what are you asking them to do?
- @raffpantucci Yes. They can help - including with aid and trade - and they do help.
johnmcternan Q: What conditions are required on the ground in Afghanistan before British troops can leave?
- @johnmcternan Afghan forces must, as planned, be able to stand alone against the insurgency.
wbethan: Q how can we be sure that women’s rights will be protected if negotiations with the Taliban proceed?
- @wbethan Reconciliation must be Afghan led. President Karzai has set out the conditions.
peterrflynn Q: what accounting is in place to ensure that UK development aid isn’t mis-used & goes to the people needing it?
- @peterrflynn It goes on a reimbursement basis: we only pay once it is spent properly.
madomasi Q: How will the Afghan Govt ensure rights of religious minorities in context of peace negotiations with the Taliban?
- @madomasi There must be Afghan led reconciliation. President Karzai has set out the conditions.
rosmahar Q: Don’t you think 4 yrs is still a long way to bring the forces back home? How many lives will be lost? Too many lost already
- @rosmahar Every death is a tragedy. Our forces do an amazing job and deserve all our support.
jonnytench Q:most Afghans rely on agriculture for a living, how will UK increase+improve aid to support people’s livelihoods?
- @jonnytench We have increased aid by 40%
jonnytench Q: how are you making sure women’s rights are at the heart of policy-making in Afghanistan
- @ jonnytench It is important the Afghan constitution is respected and followed.
brindusaf Q: How did Western interests in Afghanistan change since the discovery of the country’s vast mineral riches
- @brindusaf We are here for our national security, not for other reasons.
kwikcars Q: why aren’t you pressing Pakistan Government 2 extend their military operation to North Waziristan
- @kwikcars Afghanistan’s neighbours all have an important role in securing its stable future.
LeapfrogMark Q: Are there actually more insurgents in Afghanistan now than there were before the allied invasion?
- @LeapfrogMark Before 2001, Taliban ran Afghanistan and let Al Qaida train and plot. Now we are making progress against them.
GMSheratonRUH Q: Big hello to my friend Sir William Patey. Question - #Afghanistan in 10yrs time… your vision?
- @GMSheratonRUH Stable country, in charge of its own affairs, & not a threat to us or the wider world. Sir William sends his best.
ianrlowe Q: Why are we giving aid to Afghanistan when they treat women so badly? they seem no better than the Taliban.
- @ianrlowe Afghans who lived under the Taliban would disagree.
JacksonTar Q: Why is our war on Afghanistan a war on terror when our attacks have been from home grown terrorists?
- @JacksonTar Afghanistan was Al Qaida’s base. It must not become it again.
marcam777 Q: y hav we told everyone when we’re leaving? it’l giv tal time2gear up for redeploy & increase terror. just do it
- @marcam777 Afghans have committed to take responsibility for security themselves by the end of 2014.
JacksonTar: Q: how can you guarantee the Taliban will not move back in after ISAF have left Afghanistan?
- @JacksonTar Afghan forces should be able to stand by themselves to secure the country
Thanks for your questions.