Speeches

Transcript of Ambassador William Wood's Press Conference in Mazar-e-Sharif

Ambassador William Wood
Governor Atta
Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province
May 13, 2007

AMBASSADOR WOOD:  I am very grateful for the warm reception that Governor Atta has shown me today and for the excellent meetings I have had with the Swedish PRT and with others here in Mazar-e-Sharif.

Today is my one-month anniversary of having been in Afghanistan and it was only appropriate that I come to Balkh to see one of the most successful provincial programs in Afghanistan, both to fight drugs and also to increase development and benefits for the people.  I also wanted to meet our international colleagues, hear their analyses, and congratulate them on the excellent job they are doing.

In this first of I am sure many visits to Mazar-e-Sharif I have been very impressed by the beauty and the energy of the city and also by the smiles of the children as they waved at our cars as we passed.  There is nothing more beautiful than the smiles of children.

During my visit here I was privileged to tell Governor Atta that based on the success of his government in fighting drugs and establishing a stable, peaceful and happy community here in Balkh, the United States would be increasing substantially its economic assistance to the province this year.  I also pledged to him that we would be working with him and the government of President Karzai to continue the success that Balkh has seen over the last year.

The people of Balkh and the people of Afghanistan can count on continued U.S. cooperation and support.

Thank you very much.

QUESTION:  As you earlier mentioned about the death of Mullah Dadullah, it is good news for Afghan people.  What possible change can bring the death of Mullah Dadullah in the structure of Taliban?

AMBASSADOR WOOD:  The insurgents who are waging war against the people of Afghanistan, the insurgents who are no longer trying to win the loyalty of the people of Afghanistan but instead are targeting them with suicide bombers, with explosive devices, and with violence around the country have given up their attempt to convince the people of Afghanistan that they are friends.

Mullah Dadullah was a leader of the Taliban terrorist initiative against the people of Afghanistan, and a leader in its drug trafficking structure.  We hope that his fate will serve as a message of hope to the people of Afghanistan and as a clear message to other supporters of the insurgency that the future does not look very good for them.

In the mean time the international community will continue its partnership with the government of President Karzai to provide security and to assist in development, education, medical care, and all of the things that the people of Afghanistan have deserved for so long.

QUESTION:  The question is, can you specifically tell us about the amount of increased assistance to Balkh Province that the Congress has approved?  And also which [field] specifically they will be put into.

AMBASSADOR WOOD:  As I told Governor Atta, we expect to be able to provide roughly three times as much assistance to Balkh Province as in the past.  This has not yet been approved by our Congress, but we are very optimistic that they will approve it.  Once it is approved we will work with Governor Atta and the Provincial Council and others in Balkh to determine how best to spend these funds.

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