Middelkoop stated: "A greater commitment of the United Nations and other international organisations and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) is necessary to ensure that progress does not evaporate."
He continued: "Projects such as schools, health clinics, roads and power plants will not only help the economy, but also help the government to assert its authority throughout Afghanistan."
Finally, a bit of a reaction from the Coalition's European allies, and from minuscule Holland no less.
Australian and Dutch troops have been working together for 18 months in a NATO-led mission in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, a former Taliban stronghold.
I wish them well and it would be too much to ask that France and Germany chime in behind them but we can always hope.