U.S.-Russia Working Group On Afghanistan

The sides agreed that the situation in Afghanistan continues to threaten the interests of both their countries as well as regional and international stability, and that the policies of the Taliban continue to foster terrorism that reaches beyond the borders of Afghanistan. The United States and Russia further agreed that only a political solution can lead to peace in Afghanistan and a stable and prosperous environment for the Afghan people.

Since the Working Group's last meeting in Moscow in October 2000, the UN Security Council imposed additional sanctions against the Taliban leadership through Security Council Resolution 1333 because of their continued support for terrorism. The United States and Russia pledge their support to UN efforts to seek Taliban compliance with UNSCR 1267 and 1333 requirements. They will work together to support further steps to develop an effective monitoring mechanism for the UN sanctions. The United States and Russia call upon all other nations to implement fully the provisions of UNSCR 1267 and 1333.

The two sides noted the serious humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and called on the international community to mobilize to avert a humanitarian tragedy. It was agreed that renewed effort is necessary to increase donor support for the activities of UN agencies working with Afghans inside Afghanistan and outside Afghanistan, and to secure respect for basic rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. In that context, it is noteworthy that both sides are contributing to efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people. After more than twenty years of war and now the third year of a devastating drought, the country is on the verge of a widespread famine. Nearly four million Afghans are at risk. The two sides agreed that the situation has been exacerbated by Taliban misrule, and gross violations of human rights as well as basic principles of international humanitarian law.

The sides discussed the fact that the countries of central Asia may face the most immediate threat posed by terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. They agreed on the importance of these countries further consolidating their sovereignty and security and bolstering their ability to counter the threats emanating from Afghanistan.

They also agreed that the ban on opium poppy cultivation in Taliban-controlled territory is a positive step and should be supported by the international community through humanitarian assistance to the rural population affected by the ban and by the ongoing drought. To achieve further progress the two sides call for a ban on opium poppy cultivation, illegal production of narcotic drugs, as well as destruction of the existing stockpiles on all of the territory of Afghanistan.

The United States and Russia agreed to continue, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, to review specific steps to counter the threats from terrorism and narcotics production emanating from Afghan territory, to encourage a peace process and support UN efforts in this regard, and to relieve the suffering of the Afghan people.