[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 51 (Monday, December 22, 2003)]
[Page 1812]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 to support the Afghan people as they build a democratic, 
stable, and thriving Afghanistan.