Today, on Capitol Hill, Ritter heralded the mission s success and announced the launching of a major project that will develop a seminal White Paper regarding U.S. policy toward Afghanistan, as well as issues involving the vital regions of Central and South Asia. Despite difficult obstacles faced by the ongoing civil war and earthquakes, as well as the nuclear tests in Pakistan, we met with senior officials from various parties to the conflict including the Taliban, the Northern Alliance, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Russia. Our Foundation s modus operandi , to seek common ground, was welcomed by participants on all sides of the conflict.
People are tired of war.
The policy paper will include recommendations regarding Afghanistan and the region for policymakers in the United Nations, White House, State Department, Department of Defense, Agency for International Development and Congress. The paper will also be circulated to the international media. The White Paper Task Force developing the policy paper includes prominent scholars and specialists on Afghanistan and the region, as well as a bipartisan group of key Members of Congress. America needs to play a new and expanded leadership role to help solve the problem of Afghanistan for vital U.S. national interests as well as to forge new partnerships between old foes and new friends. The United States must generate a partnership among Russia, Pakistan, Iran and the new Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.