    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 25 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
    [Pages 1079-1081]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

    June 15, 2004

        The United States and Afghanistan are working together to keep
    Afghanistan irreversibly on the path toward constitutional democracy and
    toward an honored place in the world community as a nation that invests
    in its people and provides its citizens with economic opportunity and
    security. President Bush and President Karzai applaud the efforts of
    coalition and Afghan forces and of countless Afghan and international
    workers who have joined to build a new Afghanistan on the ruins of the
    old. Afghanistan today represents an enormous strategic success for the
    United States and the world and a political and economic success for the
    Afghan people who have endured a quarter century of conflict. A country
    that was seized by terrorists to serve as the global headquarters of
    hate and oppression is now returned to her people and has become a land
    of liberty and

    [[Page 1080]]

    opportunity for Afghans and a strong ally in the international war on
    terror.
        President Karzai conveys his heartfelt thanks to the American people
    for their continued support and recognizes the American servicemen and
    servicewomen who are fighting--and especially those who have died--
    alongside Afghan and other coalition forces to secure a better future
    for his country. President Karzai underscores that Afghan and coalition
    forces are winning the war against terror in Afghanistan, even as
    reprehensible but isolated attacks continue against aid organizations,
    coalition forces, and Afghan civilians. These attacks will not be
    allowed to deny the Afghan people their rightful future.
        President Bush joins President Karzai in acknowledging the
    indispensable support of the United Nations, NATO, and many
    international partners in the historic effort to secure and rebuild
    Afghanistan. The effort has been a model of international collaboration,
    and its success will be a lasting tribute to all who have joined
    together with the Afghan people in this common task.

    A Partnership for the Future

        President Bush and President Karzai acknowledge the ties of mutual
    friendship and interest that bind the two countries together and pledge
    to build on these ties, forging a broad and lasting partnership for the
    future. This partnership will embrace a range of activities that
    represent shared interests in building democracy, investing in the
    Afghan people, creating economic opportunity, and strengthening
    security.

    Promoting Democratic Governance

        The United States and Afghanistan share the common conviction that
    democracy is the foundation of lasting stability. Afghanistan has a new
    constitution that offers a solid foundation for its future as a
    democracy that respects civil liberties and the rights of women and
    minorities. Presidential and Parliamentary elections are planned for
    September, and so far three million Afghans have registered to vote,
    including a million women.
        The United States pledges its continued full support as Afghans go
    to the polls and begin to build the institutions of democracy, including
    a Parliament that is responsive to the needs of the people. The United
    States will launch a new two-year program to train parliamentarians and
    equip them to fulfill their constitutional role. This program
    complements the efforts of other international donors to support
    Afghanistan's democratic process.

    Investing in People

        The United States and Afghanistan share the common conviction that
    to invest in people is to invest in the future. Afghans will go to the
    polls amid countless tangible signs of progress, including hundreds of
    new schools, thousands of newly-trained teachers, and millions of new
    textbooks. Over 140 clinics have been constructed, 3,400 health workers
    have been trained, and over 4 million children vaccinated.
        Afghanistan's richest resource is its people, and President Bush
    joins President Karzai in recognizing the central importance of training
    and education programs. The United States is now inaugurating a set of
    fellowship and exchange programs that will bring Afghan scholars and
    youth to the United States. The United States will also support a new $5
    million Women's Teacher Training Institute in Kabul to remedy the
    critical shortage of certified teachers in the provinces. Graduates of
    the teacher training program will return to their provinces to train
    others, engaging thousands of children and young adults and building
    literacy in rural Afghanistan.

    Strengthening Economic Opportunity

        The United States and Afghanistan share the common conviction that
    with economic opportunity Afghan men and women will forge a new future
    for themselves and their country. Afghanistan has a stable currency and
    an economy that grew 30 percent last year. Its cities are bustling with
    commerce and investment is growing. It has thousands of new wells and
    irrigation works and hundreds of miles of new roads that are steadily
    drawing the country together again after decades of war and destruction.
        President Karzai emphasizes his determination to set Afghanistan on
    the path to sustainable economic growth and financial

    [[Page 1081]]

    self-sufficiency. He recognizes that international aid cannot and should
    not last forever and views private investment and market forces as the
    long-term engine of economic growth. Afghanistan has signaled that it is
    committed to integrating into the global economic community and plans to
    seek WTO observer status. To promote bilateral economic ties, the United
    States and Afghanistan announce their intent to pursue a bilateral Trade
    and Investment Framework Agreement. The United States is also pleased to
    announce that work will begin this month on three new industrial parks
    that will spur foreign and domestic investment. The United States and
    Afghanistan see the power sector as a central priority in the next stage
    of Afghanistan's development and will work together to develop power
    generation capacity and electricity distribution networks. To help
    create opportunities for women, the United States is dedicating $5
    million to fund training programs and grants for small businesses,
    providing Afghan women with sustainable jobs, management skills
    training, and a self-sustaining credit facility.

    Enhancing Security

        The United States and Afghanistan share a common conviction that
    success in establishing security and attacking the narcotics trade is
    essential for progress on all fronts. President Bush reaffirms the
    commitment of the United States to provide continued support in the
    security arena, and President Karzai reports that Afghanistan has
    already made significant progress. Its National Army is 9,500 strong and
    growing, and is being deployed to the far reaches of the country. Its
    U.S.- and German-trained police force now numbers 18,300 and will soon
    reach 24,500. The United States is encouraged by President Karzai's
    decree requiring the disarmament, demobilization, and integration of all
    militias and pledges to support its full implementation.
        Building on this strong foundation, the United States and
    Afghanistan announce their intent to establish a long-term security
    relationship that will include continued training and materiel support.
    The United States will continue helping Afghanistan establish its
    National Army--including regional commands--and will further strengthen
    the capacity of the Ministry of Defense and General Staff. President
    Karzai reaffirms his commitment to build a strong economy, free of drug
    trafficking; and the United States is committed to assisting the Afghan
    Government in this endeavor.

    A Long-Term Commitment

        President Bush reaffirms the long-term commitment the American
    people have made to Afghanistan. He and President Karzai join in
    recommitting both countries to the challenge of building a democratic,
    prosperous, and secure future for the Afghan people.

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