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Bush, Karzai ink partnership pact

T V Parasuram in Washington

The United States and Afghanistan have signed a joint statement underlining the 'new partnership' between the two countries and asserted that both Kabul and Washington 'stand united in determination that Afghanistan will never again become a training ground for global terror'.

"We are equally determined that Afghanistan's tragic experience, where terrorists were allowed to hold an entire nation hostage, will not be repeated or replicated anywhere in the world," the joint statement signed by US President George W Bush and Prime Minister in the interim Afghan government Hamid Karzai said.

The two leaders expressed their commitment to build 'a lasting partnership for the 21st century, determined to fight terrorism and ensure security, stability and reconstruction for Afghanistan, and foster representative and an accountable government for all Afghan men and women'.

They pledged their respect for the culture and traditions of the different peoples of Afghanistan, and for the great religion of Islam, which was tragically distorted and misused by the Taliban.

The statement also reaffirmed their commitment to continue to work together to rout out the remnants of the Taliban and Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network.

Promising consistent help to Afghanistan, the US also pledged another $50 million towards reconstruction efforts and assured that Washington will help Kabul develop its own military as quickly as possible.

"The United States will continue to be a friend to the Afghan people," US President George W Bush on Monday said.

The United States has already pledged $297 million to Afghanistan.

"Afghanistan must as quickly as possible develop her own military and we will help train it and General Tommy Franks (commander-in-chief, central command) is fully committed to this idea," Bush said.

Karzai, the first Afghan head of state to visit United States after King Zahir Shah's visit in 1963, thanked America for helping to oust the Taliban from Afghanistan and assured Bush that he will not allow terrorism to return to the country.

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