For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 2, 2002
Fact Sheet: Afghanistan Security and Reconstruction
The Afghan Reconstruction Steering Group
The United States, the European Union, Japan, and Saudi Arabia
co-chair the Afghan Reconstruction Steering Group, which includes over
60 countries, the EU, G-8 members, and UN/World Bank, to assist and
coordinate reconstruction efforts for Afghanistan.
The Steering Group, through conferences in Washington,
Brussels, and Tokyo, has raised $4.5 billion for the next 5 years.
Five building blocks for Afghan security have been identified,
and there has been agreement on lead countries/agencies as follows:
National Army -- U.S. (DOD/CENTCOM) lead
National Police --
German lead
Judicial Training -- Italian/European Commission lead
Counter-narcotics -- UK lead
Demobilization -- UN lead
U.S.-EU Key Issues Going Forward:
Security: U.S. and European partners will continue Operation
Enduring Freedom to root out remaining al-Qaida and Taliban, a
continuing threat to Afghanistan's security. The presence of our
coalition forces has contributed to stabilizing broader security
situation in the country. The International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) also has had an important role. Turkey has agreed to take over
from the British lead of ISAF operations in June of this year. The
primary focus now is to help train and stand up an Afghan army and
police force as a more effective, long-term solution for Afghanistan's
security.
Counter-narcotics: 90 percent of the heroin in Europe is of
Afghan origin. Through a UK-funded program, the Afghan Interim
Authority is working to eradicate Afghanistan's poppy crop and provide
Afghans with the means to address the financial hardships and labor
displacement effects of the poppy eradication program. The U.S. is
supporting this effort.
Economic Policy: The United States and
the European Union agree that it is imperative for the Afghan Interim
Authority to establish sound monetary policy in order to mitigate the
risks of inflation and to instill greater confidence.
Humanitarian Programs and Refugee Return: With hundreds of
thousands of refugees from Iran and Pakistan returning, and an ongoing
drought, the United States and the European Union are providing
continued support for humanitarian programs in the region.