USAID Road Recognition
Ceremony
Ambassador Said T. Jawad
02/20/2004
Mr. Andrew Natsios,
The Honorable Steve Hadley,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen
In one of the trips of President Hamid Karzai
to the North of Afghanistan, about two years ago, a young man
managed to steal his attention by casting a bunch of flowers
at his car. When the President glanced at him, he pointed to
the depleted road and shouted “fix the road!”
This young man’s demand symbolized the collective wish
of the Afghan nation. Afghans identify success in state building
and war against terrorism with improvement of the infrastructure.
A network of efficient and well-functioning infrastructure not
only support the economy, but also contribute to security and
national unity, and facilitate political and social integration
at both national and international level.
President Karzai made the rehabilitation of roads
a first priority with the subsequent plan to construct 1440
miles of a ring road connecting major cities with extension
to links to the neighboring countries. Up to two thirds of the
people of Afghanistan live within 50 kilometers of the entire
ring road. The completion of the ring road changes the life
of majority of Afghans. To date, some 533 miles of roads have
been rebuilt.
President Bush personally committed himself to the success of
this project. The US Agency for International Development, the
State Department, NSC, the contractors and subcontractors worked
very hard to make the vision of a Kabul-Kandahar highway a reality
in record time.
Today, I am deeply honored to be here sharing with you this
very happy occasion, and to convey the sincere gratitude of
the President and the people of Afghanistan to every one of
you. It is my pleasure to congratulate you for your outstanding
achievement. With the completion of Phase I of the Kabul-Kandahar
highway, the road to recovery in Afghanistan is paved. Rebuilding
this historic landmark of US Afghan relations is a clear indication
of the longstanding friendship and continuing commitment of
the United States to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. We appreciate
your friendship and commitment very much.
Thank you.
