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Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. Visit the "Ask the White House" archives to read other discussions with White House officials.
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Rebuilding Afghanistan |
October 15, 2004
MC Andrews
Last weekend, the Afghan people had the opportunity to vote in direct presidential elections for the first time in their history. This is an important
step toward building peace and stability in Afghanistan and a great day for the advance of freedom. I look forward to taking your questions on this
and other topics.
Cindy, from Killeen, Texas writes: MC Andrews Donations can be sent to: America's Fund For Afghan Children c/o The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20509-1600
If you send a check, please make it out to America's Fund For Afghan Children. Jane, from Tacoma, WA writes: Thanks for your time. Jane I'm a Bush supporter. MC Andrews Louis, from Cambridge, Ontario writes: MC Andrews Chris, from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
writes: MC Andrews Mark, from Santa Fe writes: MC Andrews Although poppy cultivation and opium production continue to be a problem, since October 2003 Afghan Special Narcotics Forces have destroyed 36 labs and seized over 35 tons of opiates. The U.S. will continue to support the counter-narcotics efforts of the Afghan government and the U.K.-led international program by expanding Afghan security services, providing resources the government needs to control its territory, and supporting the Afghan eradication effort aimed at reducing the 2005 opium crop. Although there are still remnants of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Afghan people clearly voted for freedom from this former regime, and Afghanistan is moving forward. Still, travel in the country can be dangerous.
Thank you for your questions.
Katherine, from Phoenix writes: MC Andrews John, from Washington, DC writes: MC Andrews Veronica, from East Lake writes: MC Andrews JaMarvin, from United States
writes: MC Andrews Sylvester, from Fort Drum, NY writes: God Bless you Sir, and God Bless America. MC Andrews James, from South Windsor, CT writes: On June 14, 2004 I sent a Bank check to the following address: America's fund for Afghan Children 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington, DC 20509-1600 The check has not been cashed. Has the address changed, program discontinued? I can have a new check sent if it just got lost. MC Andrews
We will try to find your check and get back to you as soon as we have any information. Thanks for bringing this matter to our attention. That money is needed in Afghanistan, and we want to be sure we find it and get it to the Red Cross. And thank you and your son's troop for joining the President in supporting the people of Afghanistan. Cary, from Burlington writes: It's very sad. Cary MC Andrews
Democracy in Afghanistan will never look like it does in America, Albania, or Argentina. But it will develop with its own cultural nuances. From what I understand, Afghan women are determined to enhance their own freedoms, and with a democratic system in place, they now have that chance. Terrence, from Wilport writes: MC Andrews Tray, from Smith writes: MC Andrews In 2000, only about 32 percent of school-age children were enrolled in school, and an overwhelming 97 percent of the country's girls did not attend school at all. By the end of Taliban rule, 80 percent of existing schools were either severely damaged or destroyed. Today, the situation has improved dramatically: The U.S. printed and distributed 25,631,000 textbooks in Dari and Pashtu for the 2002 and 2003 school years, contributing to tremendous growth in school enrollment. In 2004, 16 million textbooks have arrived in the capital, and nearly 10 million have already been distributed throughout the country. Enrollment grew from approximately 1 million children in 2001 to 3 million in 2002 to an estimated 4.8 million in 2004, the largest number in the history of Afghanistan. Accelerated learning is now underway in 17 of Afghanistans 34 provinces, taking in over 170,000 students. Over 7,900 teachers have been trained, including 1,600 primary teachers during the 2002 school year (74 percent of whom were women) and 1,500 in 2003. Thirty thousand teachers received teacher-supply kits for the 2002 school year.
Since March 2002, 50,000 Afghan teachers have been receiving an in-kind salary supplement in the form of vegetable oil, a valued commodity in Afghanistan. The supplement represents 26 percent of their monthly income. Jason, from Charleston, West Virginia
writes: MC Andrews Jason, from Chicago writes: MC Andrews
I am sure, with better education and more developed infrastructure, over the next couple of years, the Afghans will quickly catch up. Micah, from Yelm, WA
writes: MC Andrews Jasmin, from Germany writes: MC Andrews Bill, from Gastonia, NC
writes: What is the position of Pakistan with regard to the border between it and Afganistan? MC Andrews Our coalition partnersabout 40 countries in allhave deployed some 11,600 personnel to Afghanistan, making up over 40 percent of the 28,400 non-Afghan forces in the country. NATO is leading the International Security Assistance Force, which is providing security in the country. France is there, and Germany is playing a major role in training Afghan police. Other countries, like New Zealand, Italy, and Japan, are also making major contributions. Russia does not have forces in Afghanistan. Given the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1970s and 80s, the presence of Russian troops was not acceptable to the Afghan people, and maybe not to the Russian people, either. Pakistan is cooperating with us in pursuing al Qaeda and Taliban remnants along the border, but the support that the Taliban have among many people in those border areas makes the job difficult. Thank you for the question.
MC Andrews
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