[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 9 (Monday, March 3, 2003)]
[Pages 252-253]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement Between the United States of America and Afghanistan

February 27, 2003

    President Bush and President Karzai reaffirm their common vision for 
an Afghanistan that is prosperous, democratic, at peace, contributing to 
regional stability, market friendly, and respectful of human rights. 
They affirm their ironclad and lasting partnership in pursuit of this 
vision, and will work together to ensure that Afghanistan is never again 
a haven for terrorists and that no resurgence of terrorism threatens 
Afghanistan.
    The United States has demonstrated its commitment to Afghanistan, 
providing U.S. forces to combat terror and secure stability, and 
granting over $900 million in assistance since 2001. Working together, 
Afghans, Americans, and our international partners have made great 
progress in ridding Afghanistan of Al Qaida and Taliban elements. We 
averted famine for some 7 million Afghans last year, and have begun the 
essential and challenging work of rebuilding after decades of 
dictatorship, war, and extremism. As a sign of confidence in the future, 
some 2 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan over the past year. 
But much remains to be done. This year will mark a shift toward long-
term reconstruction projects and the rebuilding of Afghan institutions. 
The United States will be a full partner in this transition, helping to 
secure stability and supporting reconstruction throughout the country, 
including roads, schools, clinics, and agriculture. We will continue our 
work together, with other partners, to gather the resources that will 
hasten the day when all Afghans lead prosperous and secure lives.
    President Karzai has declared 2003 to be a year of national 
institution building for Afghanistan, a year when the economic and 
social benefits of peace are extended throughout the country.
    Afghans are enjoying newfound freedoms and hope for a brighter 
tomorrow. The United States will work with Afghanistan to extend the 
accomplishments of the Bonn Accord of December 2001 and the Emergency 
Loya Jirga of June 2002 so that Afghans can build a democratic, 
constitutional government within the context of Afghanistan's unique 
culture and history.
    The United States military will continue with its primary mission to 
prevent terrorist elements from undermining the security environment, 
while also building the Afghan national army--a central priority for 
both governments--and facilitating reconstruction. President Karzai 
strongly favors the creation by the United States and other coalition 
partners of a number of Provincial Reconstruction Teams that will work 
closely with Afghan government ministries, UN agencies, and NGOs in 
advancing common reconstruction objectives while also working with the 
graduate battalions of the Afghan National Army to advance the mission 
of enhancing security nationwide.
    President Bush reaffirms that the United States will continue to be 
a full partner in Afghanistan's reconstruction and, with the support of 
Congress, continue with a comprehensive program of U.S. assistance to 
Afghanistan at levels commensurate with the past. To support President 
Karzai's goal of seeing a transition to broad-based reconstruction 
efforts, the United States will focus its efforts on particular projects 
in the areas of transportation, agriculture, education, and health.
 <bullet>    The United States has committed $80 million to the 
            rebuilding of the Kabul-Kandahar-Herat road--Afghanistan's 
            main transportation artery. Japan and Saudi Arabia are 
            joining us in this

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            project. The United States, in partnership with Norway, will 
            also provide $12 million to build a bridge over the river 
            between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, forming a key road link.
 <bullet>    Agricultural projects will include a package of irrigation 
            programs, including $6 million to assist Afghanistan in 
            managing water systems that are already being repaired under 
            cash-for-work programs and a $15 million project to restore 
            irrigation systems and other essential services.
 <bullet>    In the area of education, the United States is initiating a 
            $60 million program to build or repair 1000 schools, print 
            15 million textbooks, train 30,000 teachers, and offer 
            accelerated learning programs to 60,000 students.
 <bullet>    Health is also a priority sector for U.S. assistance, with 
            $133 million planned for a three-year program that will 
            construct or rehabilitate 550 primary health care centers, 
            expand access to health services in rural areas, and address 
            the basic health care needs of women and children.
    The United States and Afghanistan will work together toward that day 
when Afghanistan is fully secure and self-sufficient. In Afghanistan as 
elsewhere, the United States covets no resources and seeks no special 
advantage. President Bush and President Karzai reaffirm the bond of 
friendship that unites the peoples of America and Afghanistan in the 
common pursuit of a safer, freer, and more prosperous world for the 
benefit of all.

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