Press Releases

Visit of Assistant Secretary Anne Patterson, Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement

December 9, 2006

KABUL - Assistant Secretary Anne Patterson from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement visited Kabul, Afghanistan from December 6 - 10, 2006.  Assistant Secretary Patterson discussed counter-narcotics and police training issues with senior Afghan officials and with U.S. and international military leaders.  Ms. Patterson joined ONDCP Director John Walters in a call on President Hamid Karzai on December 10.

Assistant Secretary Patterson on December 7 led a U.S. delegation to hold Strategic Partnership discussions with Afghan officials involved in counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan.  Minister of Counter Narcotics Habibullah Qaderi chaired the Afghan working group.  Other Afghan ministries in attendance included the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Rural Reconstruction and Development, and the Ministry of Public Welfare.

During their discussion, Secretary Patterson discussed the 2006 U.S. - Afghan Letter of Agreement that outlines more than $228,000,000 of assistance for law enforcement, judicial, and counter-narcotics programs in Afghanistan.  She pledged ongoing U.S. support for these programs and said that the Afghans have a shared responsibility in making these programs work.  In particular, she said that eradication in 2007 needs to be more extensive than it was during 2006. 

Pointing to Helmand, Secretary Patterson remarked that the province was at the center of Afghanistan's illicit drug production, and she said that the Government of Afghanistan needs to develop a strong eradication program in the province in 2007.

In later discussions with Minister of Interior Zarar Muqbel, Secretary Patterson discussed both counter-narcotics and police training issues.  She reiterated the U.S. government's commitment to assisting Afghanistan in developing a robust police program that will strengthen the country's ability to combat insurgent forces seeking to undermine Afghanistan's democratic institutions.

Commenting on her visit to Afghanistan, Secretary Patterson said, "I am encouraged by the strong stand that Afghan officials are taking on combating corruption and narcotics.  The two issues are inextricably inter-related.  The United States will continue to provide assistance for our Afghan partners as long as the Government of Afghanistan demonstrates progress in reducing opium production and dismissing corrupt public officials who profit from and condone illicit activities."