    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 23, 2005]
    [Pages 853-856]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Declaration of the United States-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership
    May 23, 2005

        Since the fall of the Taliban regime in December 2001, the United
    States and Afghanistan have made great progress in the pursuit of common
    strategic objectives. Together we have disrupted international terrorist
    networks and worked to ensure that Afghanistan will never again be a
    safe haven for terrorists. The United States has

    [[Page 854]]

    supported the Afghan people as they have established a moderate,
    representative government. During this time, the U.S. Government and the
    American people have demonstrated a commitment to an Afghanistan that is
    democratic, free, and able to provide for its own security.
        Afghanistan expresses the profound gratitude of the Afghan people to
    the people of the United States of America. Thanks to the generosity of
    the American people and U.S. leadership, this extraordinary effort has
    enabled the Afghan people to regain hope and confidence and to renew
    their vision for achieving prosperity and peace.
        Afghanistan confronts important challenges to its security and its
    efforts to build a government based on democratic principles, respect
    for human rights, and a market economy. To address these challenges,
    Afghanistan proposed that the United States join in a strategic
    partnership and establish close cooperation, including regular, high-
    level exchanges on the political, security, and economic issues
    contained herein and other issues of mutual interest. The United States
    and Afghanistan plan to work together to develop appropriate
    arrangements and agreements to implement their strategic partnership.
        This shared effort will be based on a number of key principles,
    including a dedication to the rule of law, protection of the human
    rights and civil liberties of all individuals regardless of ethnic
    affiliations or gender, support for democratic governance, and reliance
    on the free market as the best means to further Afghanistan's economic
    progress. The strategic partnership's primary goal will be to strengthen
    U.S.-Afghan ties to help ensure Afghanistan's long-term security,
    democracy, and prosperity. It should contribute to peaceful and
    productive relations between Afghanistan and its neighbors. It is not
    directed against any third country.
        This partnership will serve as the basis for our common efforts to
    cooperate in the war against international terror and the struggle
    against violent extremism, to promote stability and prosperity in the
    region, and to remain steadfast in supporting Afghanistan's campaign to
    eradicate poppy cultivation, provide alternate livelihoods assistance,
    and fight the production and trafficking of drugs. The partnership will
    be anchored in the constitutions of our two countries, and will be
    guided by the United States and Afghanistan's respective obligations
    under the United Nations Charter and other international agreements and
    conventions.
        Decades of civil war, political violence, and interference in
    Afghanistan's internal affairs make Afghanistan's security, sovereignty,
    independence, and territorial integrity particularly crucial areas for
    U.S.-Afghan cooperation. To enhance Afghanistan's long-term democracy,
    prosperity, and security, we intend to work closely together:

    For Democracy and Governance

        Support democratic good governance and the development of
                civil society based on the rule of law and human rights and
                encourage broad-based political participation in
                Afghanistan.
        Help build strong, lasting Afghan Government and civic
                institutions and support political traditions that are
                efficient and responsive to the needs of the Afghan people.
        Encourage the advancement of freedom and democracy in the
                wider region.
        Support Afghanistan's initiative to restore the country's
                historic role as a land bridge connecting Central and South
                Asia and to shift the pattern of regional relations from
                rivalry to economic and political cooperation.
        Foster cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbors and
                deter meddling in its internal affairs.

    [[Page 855]]

        Support people-to-people exchanges and partnerships to
                strengthen ties between American and Afghan society, thereby
                fostering common outlooks and collaboration on the
                challenges and opportunities before us.

    For Prosperity

        Facilitate and support Afghanistan's integration into
                regional and world economies and appropriate international
                organizations.
        Help develop a legal and institutional framework for a
                thriving private sector and an environment favorable to
                international investment in Afghanistan.
        Encourage and facilitate involvement of U.S. businesses in
                ventures that accelerate the development of Afghan firms and
                the private sector.
        Continue the reconstruction of Afghanistan and investments
                in the people of Afghanistan and encourage other nations to
                do so.

    For Security

        Help organize, train, equip, and sustain Afghan security
                forces as Afghanistan develops the capacity to undertake
                this responsibility.
        Consult with respect to taking appropriate measures in the
                event that Afghanistan perceives that its territorial
                integrity, independence, or security is threatened or at
                risk.
        Assist the Afghan Government in security sector reform.
        Continue to conduct counter-terrorism operations in
                cooperation with Afghan forces.
        Support Coalition assistance to the Afghan Government's
                counter-narcotics programs.
        Continue intelligence sharing.
        Strengthen Afghanistan's ties with NATO.
        Support border security initiatives.

        It is understood that in order to achieve the objectives contained
    herein, U.S. military forces operating in Afghanistan will continue to
    have access to Bagram Air Base and its facilities, and facilities at
    other locations as may be mutually determined and that the U.S. and
    Coalition forces are to continue to have the freedom of action required
    to conduct appropriate military operations based on consultations and
    pre-agreed procedures.
        As Afghan Government capabilities increase, Afghanistan will
    continue to cooperate against terrorism, to promote regional security,
    and to combat the drug trade; the Afghan Government, over time, will
    move to assume Afghan security force sustainment costs; and the Afghan
    Government intends to maintain capabilities for the detention, as
    appropriate, of persons apprehended in the War on Terror.
        As Afghanistan develops its political system, the United States
    looks to Afghanistan to respect human rights and develop a just and
    inclusive society. Regular, free, and fair democratic elections, a free
    press, and the active implementation of Afghanistan's constitution are
    hallmarks of the necessary commitment to these principles. The United
    States relies on the Government of Afghanistan to maintain its firm
    commitment against the production, processing, and trafficking of
    narcotics and to assume responsibility for countering narcotics as
    police, prosecutorial, and prison capacity is developed and enhanced.
    Finally, the United States relies on Afghanistan's commitment to create
    a legal framework and an environment favorable to private sector and
    domestic and international investment that offers economic opportunities
    to all Afghan people.
        The Afghan people have made tremendous sacrifices and shown great
    courage in the pursuit of freedom. The United States shares their vision
    of a country that is democratic, at peace, and working to improve the
    lives of all Afghans and that plays an important and positive role in
    the affairs

    [[Page 856]]

    of the region and the world. We are confident that the U.S.-Afghan
    strategic partnership will play a central role in helping Afghanistan
    achieve these goals.

    George W. Bush                          Hamid Karzai
    President of the                         President of the
    United States                            Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

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