Transcript
CARLOS PASCUAL: The challenges that are faced by Afghanistan could not be more critical for the United States, for the international community, for South and Central Asia, and obviously and most poignantly for the people of Afghanistan. At stake is whether the international community operating under a U.N. mandate working with every country of NATO and 40 international partners can join in an effective partnership to help Afghan democracy establish itself as a viable and stable democracy. The answer to this question must be yes because the alternative is to acknowledge that the forces of extremism and terrorism can undermine the efforts of the Afghan people and the international community.
President Karzai has headed his country since appointed interim president in 2002, elected in 2004, and now comes to Washington in the advent of another presidential election in August. Not the least of his challenges will be ensuring with the help of the international community the security and stability of the country and all the candidates. It is a dangerous moment, but one filled with anticipation. The Afghan people have seen a glimpse of what a better future can be with 6 million children in school, including 2 million of them girls, an economy that has grown 10 percent a year in aggregate terms, with basic healthcare coverage starting to reach most of the country, with mobile telecom starting to connect the Afghan people. Yet there are challenges ahead to establish security, to give Afghans an alterative to the narcotics trade, to fight corruption, to find a stable coexistence with Afghanistan's neighbors, to unleash the entrepreneurial potential of the Afghan people. It will be a test of leadership, skill and determination.
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