[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 37 (Monday, September 16, 2002)]
[Pages 1534-1535]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 the day that Afghanistan regains its place along the ``Silk 
Road'' connecting East and West in a highway of mutual understanding, 
commerce, and peace.

[[Page 1535]]

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