Deutsche Presse-Agentur
03/09/2010
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New York - Martin Kobler, a veteran in Germany's foreign ministry, was appointed Tuesday as the United Nations' deputy special envoy for Afghanistan responsible for political issues.

Kobler's tasks include electoral and parliamentary matters, as well as issues related to peace and stability, security sector reform and human rights, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in appointing him.

Kobler will replace Peter Gailbraith of the United States, who was removed from his post in Kabul after he criticized the UN's lack of responsibility in the fraudulent presidential elections last year. Both the UN and Kabul admitted corruption in some polling stations in Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai won re-election after his rival withdrew from a planned second round of balloting.

Kobler has 25 years in Germany's foreign services, serving in posts in developing countries. His most recent post was director general for cultural and communications in Berlin's foreign ministry.

Germany, as a NATO member, is maintaining a sizable number of troops in the international security forces in Afghanistan, which are tasked with providing security to the Kabul government.

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