YouSaid · the spoken record

Hâmid Karzai,

lines on the record: 81
first: 2002-09-24
most recent: 2012-09-24
sittings or episodes: 7
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We are grateful to the thousands of International Security Assistance Force and coalition troops that are assisting our security forces. We have also taken steps towards disarming, demobilizing and reintegrating private militias. Nearly all of the heavy weapons have been collected from the city of Kabul, and thousands of former combatants have been disarmed in various parts of the country. We have continued the reconstruction of our country. At the Berlin conference this year, the international community renewed its commitment to rebuilding Afghanistan. The generous pledges that we received in Berlin will be committed to national reconstruction and development programmes that will create economic opportunities for our citizens and will further promote economic growth throughout the region.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Our Constitution also guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. During the past year, we enacted the election law, established the necessary mechanism to organize and manage elections and completed voter registration, and we are now preparing to hold presidential and parliamentary elections. Thanks to the cooperation of our two brotherly neighbours, Pakistan and Iran, hundreds of thousands of Afghans still living in those countries will also participate in the election. 2 In partnership with the international community, we have intensified our efforts to rebuild our national security institutions. Today, there are 15,000 national army soldiers and nearly 30,000 national police officers providing security to our citizens.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“We have seen that confidence in the return of more than 3.5 million refugees who are now rebuilding their lives. We have seen that confidence in the enthusiasm of families who are sending their boys and girls to school, rebuilding their homes and setting up their businesses. And we have seen that confidence in the enthusiasm of 10.5 million Afghans who have registered to vote in the upcoming elections. Earlier this year, the Constitutional Loya Jirga adopted an enlightened Constitution establishing a democratic Islamic republic. It guarantees equal rights and equal protection for all citizens ó men and women. The vision of the Constitutional Loya Jirga is becoming a reality. Approximately 42 per cent of the registered voters are women, and women will make up at least 25 per cent of our future parliament.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“Nelson Mandela once described his countryís transition to democracy as a long journey to freedom comprising many milestones, each a realization of new opportunities for him and his nation. We, the Afghan people, started our journey to stability and democracy almost three years ago. I am delighted to report that, 18 days from today, our people will go to the polls for the first time to elect their President, marking the most significant milestone in our journey. As the presidential elections will mark the end of the transitional period set forth in the historic Bonn Agreement, I would like to outline some of Afghanistanís achievements over the past three years and discuss our challenges. Much has changed in my country, but no change is more visible than the confidence of the Afghan people in the future of our country.”
2004-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 59 (2004)
“They act against all that Islam teaches, namely, peace, tolerance, compassion, social justice and the good of humanity. Terrorists aim to harm the nation of Afghanistan, a deeply believing Muslim nation that is averse to extremism. They pose a threat to the process of reconstruction in Afghanistan. Terrorists see their lasting defeat in the success of reconstruction. They are therefore maliciously intent on derailing the process of reconstruction in Afghanistan. That must stop. We must defeat the forces and ideas of violence in the region. Today terrorism is a liability to the Governments in the region. Governments must stop using extremism as an instrument of policy. As long as terrorism survives in this part of the world, neither Afghanistan nor our neighbours, nor indeed the rest of the world, can be safe.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“While the achievements are significant, and although challenges are inevitable, today, in this forum, I wish to point to what can potentially amount to a critical threat, namely, the ongoing threat of terrorism. The crisis in Afghanistan may well be over, but the forces of violence continue to threaten. Embodied in various manifestations, from militant infiltrations to hateful teachings at places disguised as madrassas, terrorism continues to make inroads into the space of peace and prosperity that we want to secure for our nation. Islam, our universalist religion, has absolutely no place for terrorism. The apostles of hatred who preach murder in the name of religion and who abuse the name 8 of Islam and the sanctity of madrassas are the enemies of Islam.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We continue to extend a sincere hand of friendship to Pakistan and all our other neighbours on the basis of the requirements of a civilized relationship. We will never permit our territory to be used against any other country, and expect the same in return. We are deeply concerned about the loss of innocent lives in Palestine and Israel. We support the realization of the right to self-determination for our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We are fully committed to remaining a resilient partner with the international community in the fight against terrorism. All the achievements I have just noted amount only to a good beginning. Our challenge is to stay the course. That will depend not only on the resolute determination of the Afghan people, but also on the continued engagement of the international community.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The United States of America has led the international community by example in offering support for Afghanistan. The additional assistance provided to us under the Accelerated Success Initiative will go a long way towards rebuilding our country. The neighbours of Afghanistan also have a special place in our hearts. Our people will always remember the warm welcome they received from their brothers and sisters in Pakistan and Iran. In addition, Afghans hold Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi in very high esteem. Their kind-hearted attention to Afghanistan is highly appreciated. Cognizant of our new situation and the emerging opportunities that exist today, we are determined to build friendly, civil and constructive relationships with countries of the world.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We see a direct connection between narcotics and terrorism, and it is in our absolute national interest to fight both. Both are transnational challenges. We in the region and in the international community must take the strategic decision, in the spirit of true partnership, to fight against both menaces. As we acknowledge that the road ahead for Afghanistan is long and tortuous, we appreciate the fact that significant achievements have been made over the last two years. The people of Afghanistan are grateful to the international community for its crucial support. While countries that have extended a friendly hand to Afghanistan are far too many to thank individually, it would be unfair not to single out the United States, the European Union and Japan for special thanks.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Through such nationwide programmes as the National Solidarity Programme, the Government aims to take reconstruction to the villages and households of Afghanistan. Perhaps no other priority features more widely in the demands of the Afghan people than the provision of education. Today, fortunately, almost 40 per cent of the students and teachers in primary and secondary education are female. That is a huge increase from the close to zero percentage that we inherited from the Taliban. Millions of textbooks have been published, and schools are being built at a higher rate than ever. However, in other areas of service-provision the need is much greater than our capacity to deliver. The struggle against the production of, and trafficking in, narcotics continues.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Our newly adopted laws governing investment, banking and property rights, the new stable currency and the bureaucratic reforms we have enacted provide a liberal and conducive underpinning for rapid economic growth. Like never before, Afghanistan is open to business. Once, in the past, Afghanistan was at the centre of a global threat, that of terrorism. Our vision for the future is that Afghanistan should be a centre for economic opportunity. We do not call ourselves a land- locked country; rather, we are a land-bridging country. Afghanistan connects South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East, a fact to which geo-strategists have long been attracted. But it is time that Afghanistan’s vast potential for facilitating trade and economic activity is exploited.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The draft will be submitted in December for approval to a constitutional grand council of the Afghan people, which in our language is called a Loya Jirga. Work on the reform of the judicial system and on drafting new secondary laws has also continued, with notable outcomes achieved in recent months. The laws on political parties and banking have now been officially adopted. Having started from a below-zero baseline, the 30 per cent economic growth rate that Afghanistan enjoyed last year is a promising start. Committed as we are to an open-market economy, and seeing the private sector as the true engine for growth, we have moved aggressively to create the legal and financial 7 frameworks needed for a positive environment for the private sector.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We are grateful to the international community, the United States and Germany in particular, for making a determined effort to help us embark on a process of reforming and rebuilding our security institutions, namely the Afghan National Army and the national police. After an arduous process of restructuring, we have just completed the reform of the Ministry of Defence. That step is now paving the way for the implementation of the nation-wide programme on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, which will begin in earnest in mid-October with assistance from Japan. A Constitution is the bedrock of the modern State. Under the Bonn Agreement, my Government was assigned the historic task of giving Afghanistan its new Constitution. The commission assigned that task has just finished the draft Constitution.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), to the credit of the participating countries, has done a tremendous job of securing the nation’s capital. That is partly the reason that people from other parts of the country have demanded that ISAF be expanded to their areas, too. We see NATO’s decision to take over the command of ISAF in Kabul as a positive development. The Afghan people have also welcomed the provincial reconstruction teams that are supported by the coalition member States. Reconstruction and security are tied to one another, and we are absolutely certain that no matter what flag they fly, forces that ensure stability will be welcomed throughout Afghanistan. However, we recognize that providing security to the people of Afghanistan is ultimately our own responsibility.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“As in any post-war society, the need for security and for removing the threat of arms and armed factions is a compelling issue for all Afghans. Our people demand the establishment of truly national and competent institutions, notably the army and the police. Afghans want State institutions that are professional and representative and an administration that is efficient and free of corruption. The Afghan people want tolerance for other religions, protection of human rights and affirmative action to promote the rights of women. Since I addressed the Assembly in September of last year, Afghanistan has taken significant strides in the path of post-war reconstruction. While total stability may not have been achieved yet, today Afghanistan is more stable and peaceful than in any other period in its recent history.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“I find few things more engaging than the company of elderly representatives who come to Kabul from far-flung parts of the country to discuss their priorities for reconstruction. And, in the same order, there is nothing more enthusing than the active participation of Afghan men and women in the process of public consultation for the new constitution. From the public consultations conducted in connection with the constitution drafting process, we know that the people of Afghanistan want a modern, unitary State that is committed to Islamic values and the preservation of peace and national unity, a State that ensures security for all its citizens, enforces justice and the rule of law and promotes prosperity.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“There is no reality more oppressive than the silence of a nation. For too long, Afghanistan was a silenced nation, a country without a voice. After decades of being suppressed into silence, our nation is beginning to have a voice of its own. Recovering from the tragedy of war and destruction, Afghanistan is determined to reverse the effects of the suffering it has long endured. A lot has changed in Afghanistan over the last two years. But no change is so critical and pervasive as the animated response of the people of Afghanistan to the recent developments in our country. I find no sight more rewarding than that of our young girls and boys flocking to schools every morning.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The people of Afghanistan know the high price of war and violence and are yearning for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. They know that a peaceful resolution of the issues between Pakistan and India is an urgent necessity to consolidate peace and security in the region and the world at large. In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Switzerland and East Timor on joining the family of the United Nations, and extend my appreciation to Iran and Pakistan, our neighbouring countries, for having accepted millions of our refugees for over two decades and for having looked after them. We are very grateful to both these neighbours. We are also very grateful to the donor countries for having helped Afghanistan and to the international organizations that have helped us over the past many months and years.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We extend a sincere hand of friendship to all our neighbours on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and non- interference in the internal affairs of each other. We will never permit our soil to be used for any subversive activities against any of our neighbours or countries in the region, and we expect others to do the same. We are deeply concerned about the loss of innocent lives in Palestine and Israel. We strongly support the realization of the right of self- determination of the people of Palestine. We also support the relevant United Nations resolutions and the Saudi Arabian-sponsored declarations in Beirut. We are also concerned about the dispute between our friends and neighbours, India and Pakistan. We have good relationships with both those countries.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“My vision of Afghanistan is of a modern State that builds on our Islamic values, promoting justice, the rule of law, human rights and freedom of commerce, and forming a bridge between cultures and civilizations a model of tolerance and prosperity based on the rich heritage of the Islamic civilization. Afghanistan is committed to continuing to have friendly relations with its neighbours and the 12 international community and to being a resilient partner in the war against terrorism. The establishment of security and prosperity within Afghanistan is a means of promoting security and prosperity in the region and the world as a whole. We do not want to live in the past and are determined not to let the events of the past harm our relations with our neighbours.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“While the world has now clearly voiced its unity to honour the dignity of life and reconstruction over terror, destruction and subversion, the threat posed by the terrorist groups requires resolute commitment on the part of all nations to fight this evil to the end. I warned the world before the 11 September tragedy about the dangers of terrorism. The Afghan people have suffered tremendously at the hands of the Taliban and terrorist groups. They killed many thousands of our people, destroyed villages and burned orchards and vineyards. Afghanistan is a Muslim country and the people of Afghanistan truly believe in the teachings of Islam, which is based on peace, justice, equality, moderation and tolerance, and reject any abuse and misuse of the holy name of Islam by extremist groups to justify violence, death and destruction.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“While we agree that there is still a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, I would like to request the international community to focus more on reconstruction, to support long-term recovery efforts, and to treat the causes of poverty, rather than its symptoms. Building highways and repairing the road networks in Afghanistan is an important undertaking with significant economic, political and social impact for the Afghan people. It creates jobs, helps with security and demobilization, provides better connectivity, strengthens national unity and assists with the reintegration of Afghanistan into the regional economy.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“It is the position of my Government that the consolidation of peace and stability depends on the international community's sustained engagement in providing funding for reconstruction. Implementation of labour-intensive projects throughout Afghanistan has a direct influence on security and the demobilization of combatants. Despite these facts, the level of direct financial support provided to the Afghan Government can be characterized as insufficient, especially given the generosity of donors at the Tokyo Conference, where over $4.5 billion dollars were pledged to support Afghanistan. The Afghan people urgently needs the pledges in Tokyo to be turned into cash.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The Afghan delegates from various provinces that regularly come to Kabul to discuss various matters with our Administration, strongly request the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to other parts of the country. They want to be certain that Afghanistan will not be once again left alone by the international community. We owe particular gratitude to the donor community for its assistance to Afghanistan, but would also like to remind our friends that the majority of the financial pledges made to Afghanistan at the Tokyo Conference are still unfulfilled. We have presented the donor countries with our National Development Framework to indicate our priorities, help manage the reconstruction programmes effectively, and channel financial resources to national capacity building.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“I have also highlighted the establishment of the national army and police force as a top priority and the main objective of my Government; but the people of Afghanistan need a clear commitment and sustained support from the international community to realize these objectives. We appreciate the contributions of our American, British, German, Turkish and French friends in training our national army and police force, and the Government of Japan for its assistance in demobilization programmes. I would like to once again request the donor countries to further support our strategy for the creation of a national army and a national system for security by translating international pledges into concrete contributions.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“We have also adopted a series of laws and decrees to promote and attract domestic and international investments, safeguard property rights and other pillars of the free market economy, combat narcotics, and protect the forests and the environment. Sixthly, despite these achievements, we are realistic about countless challenges and problems that we are confronted with. Foremost among them is security; a principal demand of the Afghan people, and the most fundamental requirement for sustainable peace. It is the position of my Government that the real key to the restoration of sustainable security lies in the creation of a national army and a national police force, along with a comprehensive demobilization programme. We have established a commission for the formation of a national army.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Thirdly, the strong commitment of the Government to the eradication of poppy cultivation and the destruction of narcotics resulted in the burning of drugs worth an estimated street value of 8 billion dollars. Fourthly, as a sign of stability and security, we are very glad to have over 1.6 million of our refugees, who were mainly living in Pakistan and Iran, return home in a period of less than seven to eight months. Fifthly, we have formed a Constitutional Commission to undertake the historic task of drafting the country's new Constitution. We have already established a Judicial Commission, to rebuild the Afghan justice system, a Civil Service Commission to reform the entire administration and impose a merit- based system, as well as a Human Rights Commission to protect human rights, women's rights and civil liberties.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The people of Afghanistan told me univocally of their disdain for war and violence. The Loya Jirga demonstrated that after 23 years of imposed wars, foreign interventions, violence, bloodshed, repression, destruction and subversion, Afghans are on the way to enjoy peace and benefit from reconstruction. Hence, they are determined to take every measure to avoid a relapse into warlordism and lawlessness. Secondly, as a result of the back-to-school campaign, schools that were closed for over six years, when neither boys nor girls went to school, have reopened. Three million children from all over the country, both boys and girls, have returned to school.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“First, the implementation of the Bonn Agreement and the peace process in my country are quite on track. In accordance with the terms of the Bonn Agreement, the people of Afghanistan manifested their robust resolution and solid consensus for democracy and the rule of law by gathering under one tent to convene the emergency Loya Jirga that is the Afghan Grand Council held on 11 to 17 June 2002. The success of the Loya Jirga, with broad and unprecedented participation of women, was a significant milestone in the recent history of Afghanistan, and a major step forward in the process of peace, stability and nation- building. During the proceeding of the Loya Jirga, hundreds of delegates exercised their right to free speech and expressed their desire for security, peace, national unity, reconstruction, democracy and good governance.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The Afghan people, as the prime victims of war and violence, and the front line fighters against terrorism, particularly appreciate, honour and admire the friendly hand extended to them by the United States of America and other members of the anti-terror coalition, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the United Nations Organization, particularly the Secretary-General Kofi Annan whom I must thank for his kind remarks and support of Afghanistan this morning as well as Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, for their tremendous support to Afghanistan during this critical juncture of Afghan history. Sir, I am honoured to have this opportunity to highlight some achievements of my Administration during the brief course of the past eight months.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Not very far from here stood two towers that symbolized freedom, prosperity and progress. Halfway around the globe stood two magnificent Buddhas that represented a culture of tolerance and a nation with a rich history. These symbols have now been linked together through the global scourge of terrorism. Terror may have demolished these physical structures, yet it served to strengthened the resolve of the international community never to abandon the spirit and determination with which these icons were built. Terrorism and violence are against the teaching of Islam; a religion that stands for peace, respect for human dignity, dialogue, and tolerance. The Taliban, who destroyed our country and cultural heritage, did not represent Afghans, nor does the Al-Qaida represent the Arab world. Even more, neither one represents Islam.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)