15 November 2001

U.S. and Japan to Co-Chair Meeting on Afghan Reconstruction

Deputy State Department Spokesman Philip T. Reeker issued a statement on November 15, announcing that officials from the U.S. and Japan will co-chair a meeting at the State Department on November 20 to discuss the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Reeker said representatives from countries and international organizations likely to play vital roles in Afghanistan's reconstruction are being invited to the meeting.

Following is the text of the Deputy Spokesman's statement.

Senior Officials Meeting on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan

The United States and Japan will co-chair a meeting of senior officials on Tuesday, November 20, at the State Department to discuss the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Officials are being invited from countries and international institutions that are likely to play a vital role in the long-term process of Afghanistan's reconstruction. This is just a first step in a process that we foresee will expand to include all members of the international community committed to a prosperous future for Afghanistan.

The meeting aims at developing a common approach to how the international community can initially support rehabilitation and reconstruction in Afghanistan and the next steps to bring this about. It will begin as well the process of eliciting support needed to offer the Afghan people a positive vision for a post-Taliban Afghanistan. The meeting is being held on short notice in response to the far-reaching developments on the ground in Afghanistan.