Joint Press Statement of the U.S.-Russia Working Group on Afghanistan

The meeting included a detailed exchange of views on the situation in and around Afghanistan. In this context, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue close cooperation in combating terrorist threats, one objective of which is the complete elimination of the terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan. As the June Loya Jirga approaches, the sides noted that Afghanistan is entering the most significant political period since the inauguration of the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) last December. The co-chairs applauded the preparations underway for the Loya Jirga, and welcomed the broad participation from Afghan society in the Loya Jirga. They reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and Russia to continue to support the AIA and the transitional government that will follow, and call for continued implementation of the Bonn Agreement.

The sides emphasized a key UN coordinating role in the political settlement and the post-conflict restoration of Afghanistan, and the UN's efforts in mobilizing international aid and support for new Afghan government structures and the Afghan people. They confirmed the productive security assistance discussions in Geneva on April 3, and look forward to reconvening on May 17 in Geneva with the UN, Afghan authorities, and donors. They also welcomed the establishment of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and support the effective implementation of the mandate given to it by the UN Security Council. They agreed to continue close cooperation with the UN and to endorse its role and efforts in Afghanistan.

The U.S. and Russian delegations also discussed ways of assuring security in the regions adjoining Afghanistan, particularly in Central Asia. In this context, the U.S. side reiterated that the United States has no intention of establishing permanent military bases in Central Asia. The co-chairs affirmed that U.S.-Russian cooperation with Central Asia and the Caucasus has developed productively since September 11. In discussing the problems of the Transcaucasus, the sides reaffirmed their conviction that a settlement of the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts can be achieved only by political methods, through existing negotiation mechanisms based on UN Security Council and OSCE decisions. They underscored the need to continue efforts to assist the Government of Georgia in developing its capabilities to counter terrorism within the framework of the Coalition against Terrorism. The sides also reviewed the upcoming Central Asia and Caucasus Counterterrorism Conference which will take place in June.

They agreed that one of the ways to ensure a stable and lasting peace in Central Asia is to halt the illicit trafficking of narcotics, the main flow of which comes from Afghanistan. The Working Group participants welcomed and strongly support the measures taken by the AIA that are aimed at preventing the cultivation of poppies and the production of opium. They advocated an increase in international assistance for these AIA efforts. They agreed on the importance of continuing the effort to establish counternarcotics "security belts" around Afghanistan. To that end, the United States and Russia agreed to lead regional efforts, including in conjunction with the United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP), aimed at strengthening border control and law enforcement cooperation to stop the flow of illicit opiates from Afghanistan to the region and beyond.

They emphasized the need to intensify efforts to amplify bilateral and multilateral measures to counter the increasing threat of terrorist acquisition of nuclear, chemical, and biological material, and the means to deliver them.

The delegations also examined questions connected with their cooperation in combating terrorist threats in other regions. They reaffirmed the need to continue to enhance antiterrorist cooperation within the UN, G-8, and OSCE, as well as with NATO, the EU, and other international structures, and bilaterally.