Press Releases

Detainee Transfers to Afghanistan

August 4, 2005       
For Immediate Release
107/2005 
      
U.S. Embassy Kabul Contact: Lou Fintor      
Telephone: 070-23-4553

Government of Afghanistan Contact: Karim Rahimi
Telephone: 079-33-7755

The following is a Joint Statement by the United States and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:
 
During their May 2005 meetings, President Bush and President Karzai expressed a strong desire to return Afghan detainees to Afghanistan as part of the
U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership.

Today, in beginning to implement the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, Afghanistan and the United States reached an understanding that will allow for the gradual transfer of Afghan detainees to the exclusive custody and control of the Afghan Government.
   
The Government of Afghanistan will accept responsibility for the returning Afghan citizens and will work to ensure that they do not pose a continuing threat to Afghanistan, the Coalition, or the international community as a whole.  The United States is prepared to assist Afghanistan in capacity building, including infrastructure, and to provide training, as appropriate.