U.S. Gives Afghanistan $238 Million for Rule of Law, Counternarcotics, and Law Enforcement

U.S. Government Provides Funding for Continuation of
Key Rule of Law and Counternarcotics Programs in Afghanistan

Deputy Foreign Minister Jawid Ludin and the U.S. Embassy’s Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland participated in a signing ceremony on March 11, in which the Government of the United States of America officially allocated over $238 million for rule of law, counternarcotics and law enforcement programs to be carried out jointly with the Government of Afghanistan. This agreement is a concrete example of the continuing commitment by the Government of the United States to our partnership with the Afghan people and their elected representatives to improve people’s lives across Afghanistan.

The funding will help the United States and Afghanistan to achieve two of our shared major strategic objectives in Afghanistan. The allotment will allow for better governance through the improved administration of justice and enhanced rule of law by supporting programs such as the Afghanistan Legal Education Project (ALEP), which publishes and distributes free legal textbooks that specifically address Afghanistan’s post-2004 legal system. It also offers studies towards a Legal Certificate for the American University of Afghanistan students pursuing majors in business, political science, and information technology. In the area of counternarcotics, the funding will support and expand current programs including the operation of 29 residential drug treatment centers located throughout Afghanistan, and will help further joint narcotics interdiction efforts.

Through this recent allocation of more than $238 million, the Government of the United States of America demonstrates its continued commitment to assisting the Afghan government and people in creating a safer and more secure Afghanistan.

Story from US Embassy posting on March 12, 2012  accessed at link below:
http://kabul.usembassy.gov/mou2.html
Learn more about the Rule of Law in Afghanistan:
http://www.afghanwarnews.info/ruleoflaw.htm