Press Release - 4 August 2005

The following is a Joint Statement by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States:

 During their May 2005 meetings, President Bush and President Karzai expressed a strong desire to return Afghan detainees to Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership.

Today, in beginning to implement the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, Afghanistan and the United States reached an understanding that will allow for the gradual transfer of Afghan detainees to the exclusive custody and control of the Afghan Government.

The Government of Afghanistan will accept responsibility for the returning Afghan citizens and will work to ensure that they do not pose a continuing threat to Afghanistan, the Coalition, or the international community as a whole.  The United States is prepared to assist Afghanistan in capacity building, including infrastructure, and to provide training, as appropriate.   

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan