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Afghanistan

President Bush's statements in support of Afghanistan

The Office of Global Communications in the White House has released a collection of President Bush's statements regarding U.S. support for Afghanistan on the occasion of the visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Washington February 27.
Following is the text:

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President Bush meets today (February 27) with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. The U.S. commitment to this war-torn nation is demonstrated in the Administration's policies -- and in the President's words.

IN THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS...

THE RIGHTS AND THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN

"In Afghanistan, we helped to liberate an oppressed people. And we will continue helping them secure their country, rebuild their society, and educate all their children, boys and girls." State of the Union, January 28, 2003

"We've seen in Afghanistan that the road to freedom can be hard; it's a hard struggle. We've also seen in Afghanistan that the road to freedom is the only one worth traveling. Any nation that sacrifices to build a future of liberty will have the respect, the support, and the friendship of the United States of America." Remarks on Humanitarian Efforts in Afghanistan, October 11, 2002

"Our commitment to a stable and free and peaceful Afghanistan is a long-term commitment." Statement with Afghanistan's President Karzai, September 12, 2002

"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." Joint Statement with Japan's Prime Minister and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, September 12, 2002

"In Afghanistan, the Taliban used violence and fear to deny Afghan women access to education, health care, mobility, and the right to vote. Our coalition has liberated Afghanistan and restored fundamental human rights and freedoms to Afghan women, and all the people of Afghanistan. Young girls in Afghanistan are able to attend schools for the first time." Proclamation 7584,Women's Equality Day, 2002, August 23, 2002

"And thanks to our United States military and thanks to a coalition we put together -- and thanks to the coalition we have put together, we have freed the people of Afghanistan from one of the most repressive regimes in the history of mankind. Not only are we steadfast in our desire to defend that which we believe, we also are willing to commit resources to free a nation." Remarks at the Knoxville, Tennessee, Civic Center, April 8, 2002

"[T]hat cause was to liberate the Afghan people from terrorist occupation, and we did so. Next week, the schools reopen in Afghanistan. They will be open to all -- and many young girls will go to school for the first time in their young lives. Afghanistan has many difficult challenges ahead -- and, yet, we've averted mass starvation, begun clearing mine fields, rebuilding roads and improving health care. In Kabul, a friendly government is now an essential member of the coalition against terror." Remarks on the World Coalition for Anti-Terrorism Efforts, March 11, 2002

"All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police. If anyone doubts this, let them look to Afghanistan, where the Islamic 'street' greeted the fall of tyranny with song and celebration." State of the Union, January 29, 2002

Office of Global Communications http://www.whitehouse.gov/ogc

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)