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 Home > News & Policies > July 2004

For Immediate Release
July 8, 2004

Rights and Aspirations of the People of Afghanistan

"Today, clean water is being provided throughout the country, hospitals and clinics have been rehabilitated, and millions of children have been vaccinated against measles and polio."
President Bush's remarks in a press conference with President Karzai of Afghanistan
The Rose Garden, Washington D.C.
June 15, 2004

"Three years ago, women were viciously oppressed and forbidden to work outside the home, and even denied what little medical treatment was available. Today, women are going to school, and their rights are protected in Afghanistan's constitution."
President Bush's remarks in a press conference with President Karzai of Afghanistan
The Rose Garden, Washington D.C.
June 15, 2004

"Three years ago, the smallest displays of joy were outlawed. Women were beaten for wearing brightly-colored shoes. Even the playing of music and the flying of kites were outlawed. Today, we witness the rebirth of a vibrant Afghan culture. Music fills the marketplaces, and people are free to come together to celebrate in open."
President Bush's remarks in a press conference with President Karzai of Afghanistan
The Rose Garden, Washington D.C.
June 15, 2004

"Afghanistan and America are working together to print millions of new textbooks and to build modern schools in every Afghan province. Girls, as well as boys, are going to school, and they are studying under a new curriculum that promotes religious and ethnic tolerance."
President Bush's remarks in a press conference with President Karzai of Afghanistan
The Rose Garden, Washington D.C.
June 15, 2004

"Under the Taliban, women were oppressed, their potential was ignored. Under President Karzai's leadership, that has changed dramatically. A number of innovative programs designed in collaboration with the Afghan government are increasing the role of women in the private sector."
President Bush's remarks in a press conference with President Karzai of Afghanistan
The Rose Garden, Washington D.C.
June 15, 2004

"The world and the United States stand with [the people of Afghanistan] as partners in their quest for peace and prosperity and stability and democracy."
President Bush's remarks in a press conference with President Karzai of Afghanistan
The Rose Garden, Washington D.C.
June 15, 2004

"We're encouraging economic opportunity and the rule of law and government reform and the expansion of liberty throughout the region."
President Bush's remarks on Progress in Afghanistan during his Commencement Address at the United States Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, Colorado
June 2, 2004

"People have got a sparkle in their eye and women now all of a sudden no longer fear the future but believe that we're there to stay the course and we will help a free society emerge."
President Bush's remarks in a news conference
June 1, 2004

"In January, Afghans approved a new constitution that protects the right of all Afghan citizens, including women. ... they agreed upon a fundamental law that respects tradition and establishes a foundation of modern political rights, including free speech, due process, and a vote for every citizen."
President Bush's remarks on Development in Afghanistan
Washington Convention Center
May 18, 2004

"...the women and children in Afghanistan have a much brighter future because we removed a barbaric regime that refused to even educate young girls."
President Bush's remarks
Buffalo, New York
April 20, 2004

"Women were given no rights. Young girls did not go to school. It was a barbaric regime. ... People are [now] free in that country."
President Bush's remarks on Freedom for the People of Afghanistan
Hershey, Pennsylvania
April 19, 2004

"Now the country is changing. There's women's rights. There's equality under the law. Young girls now go to school, many for the first time ever, thanks to the United States and our coalition of liberators."
President Bush's remarks on the National Economy
Appleton, Wisconsin
March 30, 2004

"The people of Afghanistan are a world away from the nightmare of the Taliban. Citizens of Afghanistan have adopted a new constitution guaranteeing free elections and full participation by women. The new Afghan army is becoming a vital force of stability in that country. Businesses are opening, health care centers are being established, and the children of Afghanistan are back in school, boys and girls."
President Bush's remarks on the Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom
March 19, 2004

"The women leaders of Afghanistan and Iraq have shown incredible courage. When you think about what life was like months ago for many women, the fact that they have risen up is a testament to their souls, to their very being, their bravery. Some have paid for their new freedoms with their lives, but in so doing, their sons and daughters will be forever grateful."
President Bush's remarks on efforts to globally promote women's human rights
March 12, 2004

"Today, the Taliban regime is gone, thank goodness. Girls are back in class. The amazing accomplishment, though, is that Afghanistan has a new constitution that guarantees full participation by women. The constitution is a milestone in Afghanistan's history. It's really a milestone in world history, when you think about it. All Afghan citizens, regardless of gender, now have equal rights before the law."
President Bush's remarks on efforts to globally promote women's human rights
March 12, 2004

"The nation of Afghanistan was once the primary training ground of Al Qaida, the home of a barbaric regime called the Taliban. It now has a new constitution that guarantees free election and full participation by women."
President Bush's remarks at the "Churchill and the Great Republic" exhibit
February 4, 2004

"Things are changing. Freedom is powerful. The people of Afghanistan are opening up health care centers and new businesses. Times are changing, because they have been liberated."
President Bush's remarks on the impact of freedom in Afghanistan
Roswell, New Mexico
January 22, 2004

"As of this month, that country has a new constitution guaranteeing free elections and full participation by women. Businesses are opening. Health care centers are being established, and the boys and girls of Afghanistan are back in school. ... The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free and proud and fighting terror, and America is honored to be their friend."
President Bush's State of the Union speech
January 20, 2004

"A democratic Afghanistan will serve the interests and just aspirations of all of the Afghan people and help ensure that terror finds no further refuge in that proud land. This new constitution marks a historic step forward, and we will continue to assist the Afghan people as they build a free and prosperous future."
President Bush's statement on Afghanistan's adoption of a new constitution
January 4, 2004

"[The Kabul-Kandahar Highway] will promote political unity between Afghanistan 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."
President Bush's statement on completion of the Kabul-Kandahar Highway
December 16, 2003

"Next month, 500 delegates will convene a national assembly in Kabul to approve a new Afghan constitution. The proposed draft would establish a bicameral Parliament, set national elections next year, and recognize Afghanistan Muslim identity while protecting the rights of all citizens."
President Bush's remarks on the 20th Anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy
November 6, 2003

"The Afghan people, especially Afghan women, do not miss the bullying and the beatings and the public executions at the hands of the Taliban."
President Bush's remarks to the Australian Parliament
Canberra, Australia
October 23, 2003

"We seek the rise of freedom and self-government in Afghanistan and in Iraq for the benefit of their people, as an example to their neighbors and for the security of the world."
President Bush's remarks to the Australian Parliament
Canberra, Australia
October 23, 2003

"The people of Afghanistan and Iraq measure progress every day. They are losing the habits of fear, and they are gaining the habits of freedom."
President Bush's remarks to the Australian Parliament
Canberra, Australia
October 23, 2003

"New roads are being built, medical clinics are opening, and many young girls are going to school for the first time, thanks to our coalition and the United States of America."
President Bush's remarks at the American Legion National Convention
St. Louis, Missouri
August 26, 2003

"We acted, and the Taliban no longer is in power in Afghanistan, which is not only good for the security of the free world; it is incredibly good for the people who suffered in Afghanistan under barbaric rule."
President Bush's remarks on Afghanistan to the local business community
Elizabeth, New Jersey
June 16, 2003

"Freedom is taking hold in Afghanistan and Iraq...[a]nd our nation has special responsibilities to these countries, responsibilities we will keep. In Afghanistan, America and our allies are helping to build roads and train police and rebuild schools. This summer, at town hall meetings across the country, Afghans will discuss the working draft of a new constitution. And in the fall, a national assembly will convene to ratify the constitution of a free and democratic Afghanistan."
President Bush Presses for Peace in the Middle East Remarks in Commencement Address at the University of South Carolina May 9, 2003

"The Afghan people face continued struggles in rebuilding their government and the nation. But the days when women were beaten in the streets and executed on soccer fields are over." President Bush Presses for Peace in the Middle East
Remarks in Commencement Address at the University of South Carolina
May 9, 2003

"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."
President Bush Delivers the 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."
President Bush Remarks on Humanitarian Efforts in Afghanistan
October 11, 2002

"Our commitment to a stable and free and peaceful Afghanistan is a long- term commitment."
President Bush 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."
President Bush 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."
President Bush 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."
President Bush
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."
President Bush Remarks on the World Coalition for Anti-Terrorism Effort
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."
President Bush Delivers the State of the Union
January 29, 2002