Speeches by Secretary Elaine L. Chao

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Secretary Elaine L. Chao
Afghan Humanitarian Assistance Signing Ceremony
U.S. Agency for International Development
Washington, D.C.
January 29, 2002

Thank you, Andy for that kind introduction.

I’m pleased to be here with First Lady Laura Bush, my colleagues in the cabinet, distinguished members of Congress, Chairman Karzai and ministers of the Afghan interim government as we pledge U.S. assistance to help the people of Afghanistan rebuild.

I want to applaud Chairman Karzai for the high priority he is placing on women’s rights in the rebuilding of Afghanistan. That’s why I’m pleased to announce today that the Labor Department will initiate a $1.5 million technical assistance project to help reintegrate Afghan women back into the workplace.

We will do the same with a $1.5 million project for ex-combatants, who are primarily young men who now roam the country with no work and little but time on their hands. It is crucial to begin the process of identifying a place for these young men in the workplace and help them make the transition.

The $3 million I pledge here today is a down payment on Afghanistan’s future. It is a concrete demonstration of our belief that the opportunity to work—particularly for Afghan women—is fundamental to rebuilding that country. Economic opportunity is as much a part of the foundation of a free and prosperous society as any infrastructure built of brick and mortar.

I look forward to working with you, Chairman Karzai, and the President’s great team.

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