Afghanistan closes embassies in three countries

Kabul, May 8, 2007 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Afghanistan will have to cut the number of its consulates abroad if the financial problems persisted, says Foreign Minster Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

The financial hassles had forced the government to close down three embassies abroad, said the minister while speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday.

If persisted, the government would be compelled to slash the number of consulates in several countries, Spanta warned.

"How a country can finance 61 consulates when it is unable to provide salaries for the staff and rent for the buildings housing its embassies abroad," he questioned.

About Afghanistan's diplomatic relations with the three countries, where the embassies were closed, Spanta said contacts would be established through Afghan missions in countries situated in their neighbourhood.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Bahin told Pajhwok Afghan News embassies in Syria, Sudan and Kyrgyzstan had been temporarily closed. The decision was taken last year, he informed.

Bahin said 40 Afghan embassies were currently functioning in countries across the world.