[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
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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.
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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
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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.