    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [September 12, 2002]
    [Pages 1578-1579]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1578]]

    Joint Statement on Road Construction in Afghanistan by the President of
    the United States, the Prime Minister of Japan, and the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia
    September 12, 2002

        Since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, the Governments of
    the United States, Japan, and Saudi Arabia have worked together both on
    ridding the world of the scourge of terrorism and, following the success
    of Operation Enduring Freedom, supporting Afghanistan's Transitional
    Administration, led by President Hamid Karzai.
    With Japan, our joint work on this endeavor grows from the close
    bilateral relationship that has long existed between our peoples and our
    governments as reflected in the U.S.-Japan Partnership for Security and
    Prosperity, based on our shared values, mutual trust and friendship,
    reaffirmed at Camp David in June 2001. Similarly, the United States and
    Saudi Arabia have built a strong bilateral relationship over the past 60
    years based on mutual trust and respect and a common vision of a just,
    peaceful, and prosperous world.
        In November 2001, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Japan foresaw
    the need for the community of nations effectively to plan how to provide
    humanitarian relief and reconstruction for Afghanistan as the Taliban
    fell from power. This culminated in the Tokyo Pledging Conference in
    January 2002, which yielded 4.5 billion dollars in pledges to finance
    Afghanistan's humanitarian and reconstruction needs over the next five
    years.
        Our governments have acted as leaders in the international community
    to address the humanitarian needs of Afghanistan, including repatriation
    and resettlement of refugees and the internally displaced.
        While these challenges continue, it is now time for the
    international community to take strong, visible steps to begin
    Afghanistan's physical reconstruction. Traditionally, Afghanistan's key
    unifying transportation artery has been the road connecting Kabul in the
    east to Herat in the west. This is the key link in Afghanistan's ``ring
    road'' which also connects its northern provinces with the capital.
        To launch the reconstruction of this key transportation network,
    which now lies in ruins, the United States, Japan, and Saudi Arabia are
    committing today to reconstruct the road from Kabul, through Kandahar,
    to Herat to international standards. We invite others to join us in this
    project. But to make clear our determination, the United States is today
    committing eighty million dollars toward this project, Japan is
    committing fifty million dollars focusing its effort on the road from
    Kabul to Kandahar, and Saudi Arabia is also committing fifty million
    dollars. Taken together, this initial funding alone should complete the
    bulk of this roadway.
        Because it is essential for Afghanistan's people to see the fruits
    of their government's work and the commitment of Saudi Arabia, Japan and
    the United States made real, we intend to begin initial construction
    before winter sets in and will make every effort to complete the entire
    highway--from Kabul to Kandahar to Herat--within thirty-six months.
        We intend to use this project to foster opportunity for economic
    growth and prosperity in Afghanistan. It is our belief that this road,
    along with others that will connect Afghanistan to its neighbors north
    and south, can set the stage for a complete transportation system, the
    lowering of tariff and other barriers to trade, and the establishment of
    links through Afghanistan from the Indian Ocean to Central Asia and from
    the Caspian Basin to the Far East. With this vision in mind, we look
    forward to

    [[Page 1579]]

    the day that Afghanistan regains its place along the ``Silk Road''
    connecting East and West in a highway of mutual understanding, commerce,
    and peace.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.