| | ReconstructionThe U.S. remains committed to working with President Karzai and his team as they build the institutions of government and bring the benefits of peace and stability to every region of Afghanistan. A key priority of our assistance is to help the Afghan Government rebuild the infrastructure and institutions of Afghanistan.
Groundbreaking of the Kandahar to Tarin Kowt Kot Road
Ambassador Khalilzad broke ground with the Afghan officials, USAID Afghanistan Director Fine, and U.S. Major General Olson for the Kandahar to Tirin Kot Road on Thursday, September 9th. By cutting the drive time from 12 hours to 3 hours, the 130km road will restore a valuable trade route between two key southern cities in Afghanistan - improving security, commerce and access to health care and education for tens of thousands of Afghans. The road is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and will be built by the U.S. Army's 528th Engineer Battalion. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2005 and will cost approximately $20 million. See also: USAID in Afghanistan
| | | Highlights | Elections in Afghanistan
Secretary Powell (Oct. 12): "...the people of Afghanistan showed us over the weekend that democracy applies anywhere in the world where people are given the opportunity to practice it." [full text]
Department Spokesman Boucher (Oct. 10): "Today history was made in Afghanistan. We congratulate the Afghan people on exercising their political right to choose their country's next leader. They have much to be proud of in bringing their country to this point, just three years after the end of a quarter century of war and repression." [full text]
NATO Expands Presence in Afghanistan
NATO will take on command of four new provincial reconstruction teams and deploy extra troops to support the upcoming elections, the Alliance announced at the Istanbul Summit. |
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