Bush, Annan Discuss Relief Aid for Afghanistan

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 29, 2001

Bush, Annan Discuss Relief Aid for Afghanistan

U.S. President George W. Bush and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the supply of international relief aid for the Afghan people.

U.S. President George W. Bush and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the supply of international relief aid for the Afghan people.

Speaking to reporters after the White House meeting, Bush and Annan pledged they would "make sure food is delivered and medicine is delivered and clothing is delivered to innocent, hurting people of Afghanistan."

Bush told Annan that he was convinced the United States could " do a very good job" of getting food, clothing and medicine to Afghans displaced by the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

"The degree of difficulty is high. There's no question we have a large task ahead of ourselves. We've got ample money. We've got the food," Bush said. "But the fundamental question is, in an environment that is not very secure, how do we get the food to the people. And that's what we're working on."

Annan said the Afghan people have suffered for quite a long time, through series of wars and recent drought.

"We are now able to get in as much food as we think we will need. But because of the insecurity, we have difficulties reaching the needy and the people, and we are working on that," Annan said.

He hoped the situation in Afghanistan would "clarify in the not- too-distant future to allow the U.N. relief aid to reach all those in need."

U.N. Chief Discusses Terror, Afghanistan With U.S. President