27 September 2001

U.S. Works to End Suffering of Afghan Refugees

State Department officials emphasized in various appearances this week that the United States is helping to alleviate the suffering of millions of Afghan refugees. The United States is the world's single largest contributor of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, with this year's total surpassing $180 million.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told an interviewer on the NBC television network September 27 that the United States is working with international partners to expand relief efforts for the Afghans.

Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Elizabeth Jones said on the State Department program "Dialogue" September 25, "I would like to emphasize here that the international fight against terrorism is by no means against the Afghan people. It is against Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda organization."

The U.S. Agency for International Development reported September 27 that total U.S. aid to the region is now approaching $184 million. Armitage and Jones cite lower figures, but a USAID spokesman explains that the humanitarian aid has been increasing almost daily as the agency taps emergency funds to provide additional funding on an "as needed" basis. The spokesman says the total aid amount will continue to grow in the days ahead. The aid is distributed through UN agencies and non-government organizations.

Following are excerpts from two transcripts of interviews with State Department officials.

Question: There is a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. People are on the move, trying to flee the country. Other people are dramatically short of food. Is there any more that we can do, the United States can do -- and I know we do a sizeable amount already. But is there anything more we can do to end the suffering of the Afghanistan people, now?

Answer: Well, you're right, we do a lot. We have provided $174 million worth of humanitarian assistance this year. The President has ordered us to be prepared to alleviate the suffering of the new refugees who will be arriving in Pakistan and other neighboring states. We have to do it in a manner that does not allow this food to fall into the hands of the Taliban.

But, yes, there is more we can do and there is more the international community can do. And we are looking for other partners who are willing to step up and alleviate this problem.

Question: But given the scope of the humanitarian crisis brewing right now, Secretary Armitage, don't you think if we strike Afghanistan with our military, we run the risk of making conditions even worse for the people there?

Answer: I don't know how it could be made much worse. The Taliban themselves have been repressive of their own people. And as far as I'm concerned, they have been using food as a weapon against other Afghanis. I think if it becomes necessary to use military action, and the fact that we're also providing for the sustenance and, indeed, in some cases the shelter of Afghan citizens makes the point, that we're after terrorists and murderers and not interested in waging a war on the Afghani people.

Amb. Jones: The refugee problem from refugees from Afghanistan is a very serious problem. It's been a very serious problem for over a dozen years. The United States government has provided $173 million worth of assistance to Afghanistan, to the people of Afghanistan, in order to address the very, very serious humanitarian problems in Afghanistan brought about by the terrible drought that has been underway there for several years now, and by the difficulties, the very severe difficulties that come during the winter when it's extremely cold and when the weather is so bad.

There are U.S. organizations that are providing food assistance to the refugees moving across the border into Pakistan, and there is a lot of discussion underway right now as to how to do that for the Afghans who remain in Afghanistan.

I would like to emphasize here that the international fight against terrorism is by no means against the Afghan people. It is against Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda organization.