Coordinating Director of Development and Economic Affairs Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne Remarks - GPI Shakardara Road Project

December 15, 2009

Minister Khodaidad, Governor Mojadedi, Mullah Mujahid, my British Colleague John Payne, honored members of the media and esteemed guests:

I am delighted and honored to be here with you today in Shakardara.  We have gathered together to celebrate an important event: the opening of a new road in an area of Kabul that wants to be better connected with the city.  This new road represents many positive things: local activists that lobbied for this road; Afghan/American/ British cooperation; a reduction in poppy cultivation (which in turn reduces opium production and damage to Afghan society); and progress toward a better future.  This road will benefit many people throughout the area for decades to come and we are delighted to have played our part in bringing it here.  I congratulate the Ministry of Counternarcotics for implementing this project, and the people of Shakardara for their hard work in getting us to where we are today.

This road is another excellent example of the benefits that come when we work together for Afghanistan's future.  The United States and our British partners funded this project through the Good Performers Initiative, or GPI, to reward Kabul for fighting poppy cultivation.  It is one of many projects that the Ministry of Counternarcotics is implementing to demonstrate to the Afghan people that there are concrete rewards for refusing to grow poppy.  Each time a province reduces its poppy crop, or eliminates it altogether, the people of that province benefit from new roads, schools, irrigation systems, or farming equipment, courtesy of American and British taxpayers. 

Today's ceremony is another visible sign of the progress we are making against the scourge of poppy which, after being refined into opium, does so much damage to Afghanistan's society and other countries.  In 2009, poppy cultivation in this province fell by 57%, and Kabul is now close to being named "poppy free."  The United States is proud to support GPI, the Ministry of Counternarcotics, and the people of Kabul in improving your lives.

Much of the public debate about narcotics has focused on a handful of provinces that are responsible for a majority of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.  It is correct to focus on these provinces, but we must not lose sight of the fact that the fight against narcotics production is a nationwide fight.  Every province, and every district, has a role to play.  That is why we worked with our Afghan partners to create the GPI - to create incentives for all provinces to reduce or eliminate poppy production, and to generate assistance for those communities that succeed in doing so.  The United States is committed to its partnership with the Ministry of Counternarcotics, and has pledged over $80 million to GPI since 2007.  Together we can fight the plague of narcotics, and eliminate poppy from this province.

Today's ceremony is also an opportunity to underscore America's lasting commitment to the people of Afghanistan.  I know there has been much discussion about President Obama's December 1 speech on U.S. policy and Afghanistan, and his intention to begin withdrawing troops in July 2011.  Unfortunately, some commentators have misunderstood or mischaracterized his words as the U.S. allegedly "withdrawing" from Afghanistan. 

This couldn't be further from the truth.  It is correct that the United States intends to transfer responsibility for Afghanistan's security to the government of Afghanistan.  It is also correct that the U.S. has NO wish to have a permanent military presence in this country.  Our military is committed to assist in stabilizing Afghanistan so that Afghans can take responsibility for their own affairs.  We expect progress in stability to be increasingly visible in 2011, so that we can begin this transfer at that time.  Our civilian commitment, however, our commitment to partnering with the Afghan government and people via programs such as GPI, is strong and will remain strong well beyond 2011.  We are committed to Afghan security and prosperity over the long run.

In closing, while we can take satisfaction today in what we have achieved together here as symbolized by this road, there is MUCH MORE TO BE DONE to reduce the cultivation of poppy and the production and trafficking of opium across Afghanistan, as well as to prosecute the criminal and terrorist networks that derive so much of their strength from poppy and opium -- and that do so much damage to our societies.  Let us today renew our commitment to this fight, in close partnership, in the months and years ahead, for the sake of our people.  Thank you.