Posted on 01/08/2002 7:08:55 AM PST by technochick99
To assist Afghanistan in building a social infrastructure, Japan will implement a money-for-weapons aid project, Kyodo reported Jan. 3.
Government sources said Japan's projects would set goals for exchanging arms. Firearms exchanged by soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan will generate credits toward building schools, bridges and hospitals. The program also would provide education and employment to former soldiers.
For instance, surrendering 200 small arms in a single community would lead to one school being established.
The project, which focuses on communities rather than individuals, is aimed at promoting disarmament, demobilization, and a reintegration process in Afghanistan, a key ingredient for obtaining lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Funding for the project will come from conflict and peace-building grants that Japan allocated in its fiscal 2002 budget.
In previous years, Japan has conducted a weapons-for-development project in Cambodia in cooperation with the European Union, and supported a project in Tajikistan that provided employment to former soldiers.
Including sending in tanks to level karaoke bars.....
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