For Immediate Release
June 16, 2004

Global Message

From remarks by President Bush with Afghan President Karzai, The Rose Garden, 6/15/04

Afghanistan's journey to democracy and peace deserves the support and respect of every nation, because free nations do not breed the ideology of terror.

Last week at the G8 Summit, President Karzai talked with world leaders about the challenges of building a secure and stable country.

The U.S. government reaffirms its iron-clad commitment to help Afghanistan succeed and prosper.

The forces of many nations are working hard with Afghans to find and defeat Taliban remnants and eliminate al Qaeda terrorists.

Five new initiatives will help the Afghan people achieve the peace, stability and prosperity they deserve. They are: *An ambitious training program for newly-elected Afghan politicians to help newly-elected assembly members better serve those who elected them; *A new $4-million women