U.S., Russia Reconfirm Cooperation in War Against Terrorism
(Joint Statement by U.S.-Russia Working Group on Afghanistan) (850)
After its meeting in Washington February 8, the United States-Russia
Working group on Afghanistan issued a joint statement reconfirming the
commitment of both countries to work closely in the war against
terrorism, and emphasizing "the need to bring to a logical conclusion
efforts to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan
related to Osama Bin Laden and his Al-Qaida organization."
The joint statement also addresses support for the Bonn Agreement and
the interim authority in Afghanistan; U.S.-Russian military
cooperation; the humanitarian needs of Afghans; counternarcotics;
multilateral sanctions against perpetrators and supporters of
terrorist acts; and increased terrorist threats in such areas as the
Balkans.
The United States emphasized, the joint statement says, that it "does
not seek to establish permanent military bases in Central Asia."
The next meeting of the U.S.-Russia Working Group will take place in
Moscow at the end of April.
Following is the text of the joint statement:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.
February 8, 2002
2002/120 (REVISED)
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman
JOINT STATEMENT BY U.S.-RUSSIA WORKING GROUP ON AFGHANISTAN
Following is the text of a joint statement of the US-Russia Working
Group on Afghanistan, following their meeting of February 8, 2002:
Begin Joint Statement:
The United States-Russia Working Group on Afghanistan held its sixth
session on February 8, 2002 in Washington. Deputy Secretary of State
Richard Armitage and first Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav
Trubnikov co-chaired the working group session. The head of the
Russian delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Trubnikov, was also
received by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
The co-chairs exchanged a detailed assessment of the current situation
in Afghanistan. They confirmed again the commitment of the United
States and Russia to work closely together in the war against
terrorism, and they emphasized the need to bring to a logical
conclusion efforts to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in
Afghanistan related to Osama Bin Laden and his Al- Qaida organization.
They also affirmed the need to support the successful implementation
of the Bonn agreement, the interim authority in Afghanistan and the
transitional authority which will succeed it. Both sides agreed to
work closely with the UN in this regard.
The delegations agreed that U.S.-Russian military cooperation as part
of operation enduring freedom has been invaluable and unprecedented,
and has directly contributed to the successes realized in the global
war on terrorism. In particular, both sides underscored the value of
their extensive exchange of counterterrorism information and their
enhanced ability to collect and exploit threat information.
The U.S. and Russian delegations discussed ways to ensure long-term
peace and stability in Afghanistan. They pledged to exchange
information and to coordinate on current and planned assistance
programs, including specific projects aimed at rebuilding
Afghanistan's economy. They agreed that long-term peace, stability,
and prosperity is also critical for Central Asia as a whole and on the
importance of seeking a regional approach to the reconstruction of
Afghanistan. The American side emphasized that the U.S. does not seek
to establish permanent military bases in Central Asia.
Even as Afghanistan moves towards reconstruction and long-term
development, the United States and Russia agreed they will continue to
respond to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable afghans and to promote
the safe return and sustainable reintegration of afghan refugees and
displaced persons.
The working group commented on productive U.S.-Russian collaboration
on counternarcotics, and agreed they should continue to lead regional
initiatives such as the six plus two working group on drugs, to
encourage an integrated approach among member countries and to
strengthen their counternarcotics capabilities. The working group
agreed that the interim authority in Afghanistan needs assistance to
enforce a ban on poppy and international cooperation on eradication,
and that alternative development programs should be a top priority.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to full implementation of
multilateral sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council against
perpetrators and supporters of terrorist acts. Since the last meeting
of the working group in November 2001, the UN Security Council passed
UNSCR 1390, which updated and broadened UN measures against the
Taliban and Al-Qaida. The U.S. and Russia call upon all other nations
to implement fully the provisions of UNSCR 1390, and also call for
full implementation of UNSCR 1373. The sweeping powers of 1373 provide
the international community with valuable tools to take effective
action in the war on terrorism.
The two delegations also reviewed a range of other issues related to
countering the threat of international terrorism, including a
discussion of increased terrorist threats in such areas as the
Balkans. They agreed to support expansion of antiterrorist cooperation
within the framework of the United Nations, OSCE, NATO and other
international structures, as well as bilaterally.
Having noted the significance the leaders of both states attach to the
work of the group, the delegations agreed that the next meeting of the
U.S.-Russia Working Group will take plac in Moscow at the end of
April.
End Joint Statement
(end text)
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