    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [October 11, 2002]
    [Pages 1779-1783]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan
    October 11, 2002

        Welcome. Please be seated. Thanks for coming. Laura and I appreciate
    you coming today, and it's a chance to talk about our vision for our
    friends in Afghanistan.
        It was a year ago that American forces were just beginning the
    liberation of Afghanistan. And on this date last year, a year ago today,
    I asked the children of America to contribute one dollar to provide food
    and medical help to the children of Afghanistan. In a year's time after
    making that request, we've really accomplished a lot. We have. We have
    seen, of course, the tremendous skill and character of a United States
    military. We have seen the courage of our allies and our Afghan friends.
    We have seen the spirit of the Afghan people, who long for freedom.
    We've seen the great generosity of our fellow Americans extended to men,
    women, and children on the other side of the Earth.
        And yet today I want you all to know and our fellow citizens to know
    there's still a lot left to do. There's still a lot of work to do in
    Afghanistan to achieve our dreams and, more importantly, the dreams of
    the Afghan people. Today America affirms its full commitment to a future
    of progress and stability for the Afghan people.
        I appreciate so very much the Ambassador
    for being here. Mr. Ambassador, I want to thank you for your service.
    The Ambassador is a--was an American citizen until recently. He decided
    he wanted to serve his country, the land of his birth, renounced his
    citizenship so he could become the official Ambassador from Afghanistan
    to the United States. And Ambassador Shahryar is a--is a great man who
    serves a wonderful example of putting your country above yourself.
        And so, Mr. Ambassador, we're honored
    you're here. I want to thank you--where is he? Oh, Ambassador, you'd
    think they'd have given you a better seat. [Laughter] I'm proud of you.
    I really am.
        I'm also proud of Andrew Natsios, who
    is our Administrator of USAID. I want to thank him. I'll talk about some
    of Andy's fellow employees here in a minute and

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    what they're doing on behalf of the American people to help Afghanistan
    children.
        Sharif Faez is the Minister of Education--
    Higher Education. He too used to live in America. He's now serving his
    country. He shares our vision and understanding of the need to make sure
    the educational systems are strong and available, so that people can
    have hope in his country. Mr. Minister, thank you for your service, and
    I'm honored you're here with us.
        I appreciate the Members of the Congress being here.
    Dana, thanks for coming. Members of my
    national security team who are working hard on Afghan policy, whether it
    be Condi Rice, who's the boss, or Zal--
    where are you, Zal? Thank you, Zal. He
    knows a lot about Afghanistan. After all, he was from there. Elliott
    Abrams, members of my team who care deeply
    about our policy to make sure that our policy is complete.
        The--it's very important for our fellow Americans to remember that--
    keep in mind about the Taliban. They were the most brutal and oppressive
    Governments--one of the most brutal and oppressive Governments in modern
    times. It's hard for us to understand in America, but these are people
    who attempted to control every mind and every soul in the country. They
    obviously had a vast network of terrorist camps available to train
    extremists from around the world. Thanks to America and thanks to our
    friends, thanks to people who love freedom for everybody, the oppressive
    rule has been lifted. They're no longer in power. They're on the run
    along with a bunch of other ones over there, too. Afghanistan has
    entered a new era of hope. And we want to be a continued part of the new
    era of hope in Afghanistan.
        One of our dear values, one of the values we hold close to our
    heart, is the respect and beliefs of all peaceloving people, no matter
    what their faith may be. Islam is a vibrant faith. Millions of our
    fellow citizens are Muslim. We respect the faith. We honor its
    traditions. Our enemy does not. Our enemy don't follow the great
    traditions of Islam. They've hijacked a great religion.
        But it's important, as we lift that veil, to remember that they are
    nothing but a bunch of radical terrorists who distort history and the
    values of Islam. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to people. It
    inspires them to lead lives based on honesty and justice and compassion.
        We've also got a great tradition not only of recognizing freedom of
    religion and respecting religion; we've got a great tradition of
    liberating people, not conquering them. It's very important for our
    citizens to remember that as we upheld that doctrine that said, ``If you
    harbor a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists,'' that we
    went into Afghanistan to free people, because we believe in freedom. We
    believe every life counts; everybody has worth; everybody matters,
    whether they live in America or in Afghanistan.
        And so we are helping the people to now recover from years of
    tyranny and oppression. We're helping Afghanistan to claim its
    democratic future, and we're helping that nation to establish public
    order and safety, even while the struggle against terror continues in
    some corners of that country. There's still Al Qaida killers roaming
    around Afghanistan. We're working closely with the Government to rout
    them out, not only to make sure that Afghanistan is more safe but also
    to make sure America is safe as well.
        A year ago, it was really hard to find security and safety anywhere
    in Afghanistan. Just ask the citizens who were there. Now, America is
    helping to form a new Afghan national army. We are committed to an
    Afghan national army. The idea is to train 18 battalions of over 10,000
    soldiers and finish the task by the end of next year.
        I'm proud that Germany is helping as well to bring civil order by
    helping to build a police force. The International Security Assistance
    Force, what they call the ISAF, led by coalition countries, is helping
    to keep the streets safe in the city of Kabul.

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    Security is a requirement for recovery and development--can't have
    recovery and development unless there is a secure society. America and
    other nations will continue working with the Afghan Government to build
    security, so the Afghan people can live their lives without violence and
    without fear.
        A year ago, Afghans were living under history's first-ever
    terrorist-sponsored regime. These people had found a parasite. And in
    June of 2002, history will show that Afghanistan reversed its history by
    having a loya jirga and created the most broadly representative
    government in Afghanistan's history. There are two women serving in
    President Karzai's cabinet. The institutions of
    free debate and free press are taking hold. New commissions on human
    rights and the drafting of a new constitution will lay the groundwork
    for democracy and for the rule of law. The institutions necessary for
    the development of a peaceful, hopeful country are going to be put in
    place soon. We will stay the course to help that country develop--in
    their image, not in ours.
        A year ago, millions of Afghans lived in fear of famine and disease.
    In the time since, America has delivered food and medicine to the Afghan
    people. We are committed to the health of the Afghan people. Over the
    last year, U.N. World Food Programme, with the support of the United
    States, has provided 575,000 metric tons of food to nearly 10 million
    Afghans. The United States has also provided seed and fertilizer in time
    for the spring planting season. The United States joined with other
    nations to support UNICEF's vaccination of more than 8 million children
    against measles. American health care officials are helping with other
    efforts to improve public health, including the fight against polio and
    malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. These relief efforts have put hunger and
    disease on the retreat. We got the Taliban gone. We'd like to get
    disease and hunger gone as well.
        More than 2 million Afghan refugees have returned back to the
    country since November. That is a positive sign. It's a good sign that
    people are sensing their country is a better place to live and more
    secure, a better place to raise a family.
        One American bringing hope to Afghanistan is Sergeant First Class
    Victor Anderson. Victor is with us today.
    Sergeant Anderson spent 7 months traveling in Afghanistan. He visited
    hospitals and clinics, provided medical care from his car. He never
    turned down anybody who asked for help. He treated broken bones. He
    treated gunshot wounds. He treated cuts and diseases. He treated a small
    child who was bitten by a donkey. [Laughter] Sergeant Anderson, your
    service brings great credit to the Army and to America, and the Nation
    is really grateful for your work.
        A year ago, the children of Afghanistan were suffering greatly in a
    nation beset by war. It's not hard to imagine children suffering in a
    nation beset by war, and it's really sad. The children of America
    responded with great compassion. America's Fund for Afghan Children has
    collected more than $10\1/2\ million. That's a dime at a time or a
    dollar at a time. That's a lot of kids working hard to collect money. It
    has allowed the Red Cross to deliver emergency medical supplies to help
    serve 60,000 people. This fund has helped provide winter clothes to
    8,000 children, to help rehabilitate hospitals in Kabul.
        Today we've got representatives of the fund, twins, Sarah and Alexander Ahmad.
    Together, they've raised $12,000--$12,000. That's a lot of money. Nearly
    25 years ago, Sarah and Alexander's dad came to America from
    Afghanistan, from war-torn Afghanistan. Today, the family is helping to
    give peace a chance in their ancestral home and, as importantly, showing
    the world the generous heart, the great heart, of the American people. I
    really appreciate the example you're setting, and thank you for joining
    us today.
        And by the way, the fund still exists. And I hope the American
    children understand there are still people in Afghanistan

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    who hurt a lot. And if you've given once, it's okay to give again to
    make sure we continue to help the people in Afghanistan.
        America will continue to provide that country with essential short-
    term relief. We also understand that Afghanistan needs long-term
    economic reconstruction help, and we will meet this commitment as well.
        Starting with the Tokyo Conference last January, the United States
    and 60 other countries have pledged $4.5 billion over 5 years to work on
    reconstruction projects. America is delivering on our pledge. We're
    writing our checks. We're currently implementing more than $300 million
    worth of reconstruction and recovery projects. The nations who have made
    pledges, the other nations, they need to be good on their pledges. If
    you say you're going to help the Afghan people, do it. If you've made a
    pledge, write your check. It's important.
        America and our partners are helping rebuild roads and bridges and
    waterways and buildings. Last month, the United States and Japan and
    Saudi Arabia committed $180 million to rebuild the highway connecting
    Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat. It's an important project.
        President Karzai spoke to me about it in
    the Oval Office. He said, ``It's important that we show the people that
    we're--that we can work together to restore the historic link, to make
    sure that commerce and trade flow more freely and that people are able
    to find work.'' I want to thank the Saudi Arabians, the Japanese for
    joining us in this highly visible and highly important project.
        We're also helping to rebuild schools and hospitals and clinics.
    Some of the first rebuilding is being done by the U.S. Army Civil
    Affairs soldiers, who are working with relief agencies to rebuild dozens
    of schools. With us today is Captain Britton London, who enlisted friends, family members, church groups
    to supply Afghan students with thousands of pens and pencils and
    notebooks. Captain London is a man after my own heart. He started a--he
    got the equipment necessary to start the first post-Taliban baseball
    league. [Laughter] He brought me a ball--two balls signed by the
    Eagles--the Eagles, the Eagles, the mighty Eagles of Afghan baseball.
    [Laughter] And they practice--they're practicing now, and the games are
    held once a week.
        Our soldiers wear the uniforms of warriors, but they are also
    compassionate people. And the Afghan people are really beginning to see
    the true strength of our country. I mean, routing out the Taliban was
    important, but building a school is equally important.
        Across Afghanistan, U.S. aid will help build and refurbish several
    hundred more schools over the next 2 years. We're also in the process of
    training hundreds of teachers. In March, many girls walked into a
    classroom for the first time. And our country has provided them, as well
    as the boys, with millions of new textbooks.
        It's hard to believe--I know it's hard for some in America to
    believe that the Afghan people were living under a government that would
    not let girls go to school. It's just hard to imagine in America. But
    it's reality. And now we've got a lot of work to do to make up for lost
    time. Everybody counts. Everybody has worth. Everybody matters.
    Spearheading our back-to-school efforts are Lisa
    Hartenberger and Nitin Madhav. They work for USAID. They're a part of the--they're a
    part of the new army in Afghanistan. These are army of compassionate
    souls who are on the frontlines of making sure that the Afghan people
    understand our commitment is real, that when we talk about freedom, we
    understand that freedom is more than just a word. Freedom is a chance
    for people to get a good education. Freedom is a chance for people to
    get good health care. Freedom is a chance for people to realize their
    dreams.
        And I want to thank--I want to thank these two fine
    public servants
    that work for--with Andy, for your service
    to the country in service of Afghanistan. Thank you, Lisa. Thank you,
    buddy.

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        Last year, when the Taliban fell--I know I remember it, and I'm sure
    a lot of our fellow Americans remember--the images of celebration that
    took place in the streets. People came out to celebrate freedom. It
    reminded us that the whole world--in the whole world there is a huge
    appetite for freedom. People love to be free. And it's important--as we
    stay in Afghanistan, it will be important for other brave people,
    whether they live in Muslim countries or in the Middle East, people who
    stand for tolerance and the rule of law and equal rights and freedom of
    expression, to see our commitment to freedom; that our commitment for
    freedom is complete, and it's real, and it's sincere.
        It's also important for people to know we never seek to impose our
    culture or our form of government. We just want to live under those
    universal values, God-given values. We believe in the demands of human
    dignity that apply in every culture, in every nation. Human beings
    should have the right to free speech. Women deserve respect and
    opportunity. All people deserve equal justice, religious tolerance. This
    is true in America. This is true in Afghanistan. These rights are true
    everywhere.
        We've seen in Afghanistan that the road to freedom can be hard; it's
    a hard struggle. We've also seen in Afghanistan that the road to freedom
    is the only one worth traveling. Any nation that sacrifices to build a
    future of liberty will have the respect, the support, and the friendship
    of the United States of America.
        May God bless the people of Afghanistan and of America. Thank you
    all for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:34 a.m. in Room 450 of the Dwight D.
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to
    Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California; Zalmay Khalilzad, Special
    Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan; Elliott Abrams, Special Assistant to
    the President and Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights, and
    International Operations; Ishaq Shahryar, Afghan Ambassador to the
    United States; Minister of Higher Education Mohammad Sharif Faez and
    President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan; and Lisa Hartenberger, education
    adviser for Afghanistan, and Nitin Madhav, program development adviser
    for Afghanistan, USAID.