Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne Remarks at GPI Signing Ceremony

November 23, 2009

Minister Khodaidad, Governor Mangal, honored guests, and distinguished members of the press: 

For many years, one of the most important pillars of U.S. support for Afghanistan has been in the area of counternarcotics.  Illicit narcotics from Afghanistan are not only exported around the world, but do grave harm to Afghan society as well.  Afghanistan has one of the highest addiction rates in the world, harming tens of thousands of people, damaging families and communities, limiting economic opportunity, and depriving future generations of the opportunity to make a better life.  The narcotics trade also feeds corruption, hindering Afghanistan’s ability to build stable, democratic institutions and effective governance.  Finally, narcotics also fuel the insurgency, making it more difficult for the Government of Afghanistan and its international partners to return stability to the country. 

One of my government’s highest priorities in Afghanistan has been supporting the Afghan Government’s efforts to combat the scourge of narcotics.  We have supported Counter Narcotics Advisory Teams established by the Ministry of Counternarcotics in key provinces.  We have worked with the Counternarcotics Police of Afghanistan to mentor specialized law enforcement units, such as the National Interdiction Unit and the Sensitive Investigative Unit. 

In tandem with our British colleagues, we have supported the creation of the Counternarcotics Criminal Justice Task Force, which is having significant success in the prosecution of high-value narcotics cases.  And we are significantly expanding our agricultural programs, such as AVIPA Plus, to help create licit alternatives to planting and harvesting poppy for farmers.

Much of the public debate on narcotics has focused on a handful of provinces that are responsible for the vast majority of poppy cultivation.  That focus is appropriate, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that the fight against narcotics production is a nationwide fight.  Every province, every district has a role to play – otherwise gains in one province will be offset by backsliding in others.  That is why we worked with our Afghan partners to create the Good Performers’ Initiative, or GPI – to create incentives for ALL provinces to reduce or eliminate poppy production, and generate assistance for those that succeed in doing so. 

The GPI rewards provinces that are “poppy free,” or in which poppy cultivation has declined significantly, by funding development projects that have been vetted by Provincial Development Councils and Governor’s offices.  GPI enables Governors to demonstrate to the people of their provinces that there is a direct and tangible incentive for eliminating poppy cultivation. 

I am delighted to be here today to sign the U.S.-Afghan Memorandum of Understanding for this year, under which the U.S. is committing $38.7 million to the Good Performers’ Initiative – our largest contribution to date.  Over the next year, the United States will support Ministry of Counternarcotics’ GPI development projects in 27 provinces, each of which either reduced poppy cultivation by more than 10% or became “poppy free” in 2009. 

Since 2007, the U.S. has pledged over $80 million to GPI, including today’s pledge, making it one of the Embassy’s largest counternarcotics programs.  Already, as you can see from the pictures surrounding us, the Ministry has used GPI funds to provide agricultural machinery for farmers associations; dig irrigation canals; and construct public buildings, such as schools, clinics and stadiums.  I will soon be traveling to one of the poppy free provinces to participate in a handover ceremony for agricultural machinery. 

As for specific provinces, Helmand will receive $10 million in GPI funding – the maximum allowed under the program – for its impressive progress in reducing poppy cultivation by 34,000 hectares over the past year.  This reduction is equivalent to the overall reduction throughout Afghanistan during this period.    Three provinces – Baghlan, Faryab and Kapisa – will each receive $1 million worth of projects for becoming “poppy free” for the first time. 

I am particularly pleased to share the podium today with our Afghan partners.  The U.S. may provide financial support, but GPI is an AFGHAN program.  Governors and other provincial officials determine what projects will benefit their communities, and they submit proposals for funding to the Ministry of Counternarcotics.  The Ministry runs the GPI program, administering the tender process, monitoring contractors, and managing the finances. 

This program is an excellent demonstration of Afghan leadership, and we hope it can serve as a vivid example of how Afghans are taking the lead in their country’s development, building on the resources we and our international partners (including our British colleagues) have contributed.
In closing, I would like to recognize Minister Khodaidad for his strong, sustained leadership on counternarcotics issues, on GPI, and on the entire range of counternarcotics issues.  He has been an excellent partner.  I’d also like to congratulate Governor Mangal for his success in dramatically reducing poppy cultivation in Helmand. 

The United States appreciates the difficult work done across Afghanistan to combat poppy growth.  Through this contribution to the Good Performers Initiative, we support them in their continuing efforts to rid Afghanistan of dangerous drugs and to fight for the welfare of the Afghan people.
Thank you very much.