July 17, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 13, 1429

WASHINGTON, July 16: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice launched on Wednesday a civilian rapid response force to help stabilise and rebuild parts of the world ravaged by armed conflict.

Armed with lessons from places like Afghanistan, an inter-agency corps of diplomats, engineers, health officials, agronomists and others has been formed to deploy to hotspots within 48 to 72 hours.

The United States and its allies “have learned that one of the ...challenges in our world now and for many years to come will each deal with weak and poorly governed states,” Rice said at the launch ceremony.

Such states often become havens for arms traffickers, other criminals and terrorists, Rice said, recommending a new effort to prevent the collapse of state institutions amid war and conflict.

“This is a mission that requires the integration of security, diplomacy and development, Rice said.

The State Department said the Civilian Response Corps will have both active and standby members from various government bodies like the departments of state, justice, commerce, agriculture and homeland security. “Both are composed of full-time federal employees that are trained and equipped to deploy rapidly to countries in crisis or emerging from conflict, to provide reconstruction and stabilisation assistance,” it said.

Besides diplomats, there will also be development specialists, law enforcement and corrections officers as well as economists, lawyers, and public administrators, the State Department statement said.

Such specialists will offer the “skills needed to help fragile states restore stability and the rule of law, and achieve economic recovery and sustainable growth as quickly as possible,” the statement said.—AFP