    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 16, 2003]
    [Pages 1735-1736]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Completion of the Kabul-Kandahar Highway
    December 16, 2003

        More than a year ago, Afghan President Hamid Karzai broke ground on the reconstruction of a highway that--
    when completed--will run through the heart of Afghanistan, helping to
    unify that great nation. The United States and Japan pledged to provide
    financing and personnel to the project, and we further pledged that the
    first leg--the 300 miles from the capital of Kabul to the important city
    of Kandahar--would be completed by the end of this year.
        Today we have met that pledge, as the first phase of paving the
    Kabul-Kandahar leg of the highway is completed under budget and ahead of
    schedule. This new road reduces travel time between Kabul to Kandahar to
    5 hours. It will promote political unity between Afghanistan's
    provinces, facilitate commerce by making it easier to bring products to
    market, and provide the Afghan people with greater access to health care
    and educational opportunities.
        I am grateful for the enormous efforts of engineers and laborers
    from many countries who worked tirelessly and often in the face of
    hardship and danger to finish this leg of the road on time. This
    accomplishment underscores the firm commitment of the United States and
    coalition

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    to support the Afghan people as they build a democratic, stable, and
    thriving Afghanistan.