President Karzai Addresses Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

On September 25, President Karzai addressed the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC.

The President explained the situation in Afghanistan and the reasons behind the increasing insurgency:

“Five years after September 11, and despite the defeat of the terrorists in our country, Afghanistan and the world still suffer at the hands of the terrorists.  Using the Afghans’ poverty, illiteracy, and despair, the terrorists preach hatred and extremism to Afghan youth in the so-called madrassas which apparently teach religion.  We will not succeed in the fight against terrorism if we do not destroy the sources of terrorism. We must be given assurances that governments and organizations do not use extremism as an instrument to achieve their political goals.”

On the topic of drug production and smuggling, the President said, “Afghanistan is firmly committed to fighting narcotics and hopes this menace will be removed completely with the assistance of the international community in the next ten years.”

President Karzai concluded the event by answering questions from students, teachers, research analysts, senior US government authorities, and the media.