By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent

United Nations -- Terrorism and illicit drugs are two of the major challenges facing Afghanistan today, President Hamid Karzai said September 21.

"The remnants of terrorism continue to attack our citizens and threaten our society," Karzai said. "As long as terrorism continues to exist in our region neither Afghanistan, nor our neighbors, nor indeed the rest of the world can be safe."

Afghanistan needs not only the support of the international community in fighting terrorism, but "strong and sincere commitment" from countries in the region to stop the movement of terrorists across borders, the president said.

In a speech to the 59th General Assembly session, Karzai reported on his country's three-year transition from the overthrow of the Taliban regime to democratic elections which are scheduled to take place next month. Later in the day Karzai had a private meeting with President George Bush and then held a joint session with Bush and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

Terrorists have tried to disrupt every step of the political process, from convening the Loya Jirga to bombing vehicles carrying women registration workers, the president pointed out. "Their attacks have not stopped our people from crossing one milestone after another."

"I am delighted to report to you 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," Karzai said.

The cultivation and trafficking of narcotics is another major problem for Afghanistan, Karzai said. "Drug profits finance terrorism and undermine our efforts to build a healthy and legitimate economy."

"Afghanistan is fully committed to eliminating this menace. However, we cannot succeed without the strong partnership of the international community" he said.

In his address to the General Assembly earlier in the day, Bush highlighted Afghanistan's "extraordinary courage under difficult conditions" and said that the United States will not abandon the country.

"We must continue to show our commitment to democracy" in Afghanistan, Bush told the 191 nations attending the assembly.

"The liberty that many have won at a cost must be secured. As members of the United Nations, we all have a stake in the success of the world's newest democracies," he said.

Bush also warned that as the election approaches, terrorist attacks could escalate in
an effort to undermine, disrupt and influence the vote. "The proper response to difficulty is not to retreat -- it is to prevail," he said.

The United States, Bush said, will stand with the people of Afghanistan until their hopes of freedom and security are fulfilled