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Laura Bush Broadcasts to Afghans
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
By Sandra Sobieraj
Associated Press Writer

"I am confident Afghanistan can build a future of peace and freedom, and America will be your friend and partner in achieving it," Mrs. Bush said. Tossing in a second phrase in Dari, she added: "Ma ba shooma ahstem," or "we are with you."

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- AP
Three weeks before Afghanistan picks its new government, first lady Laura Bush told the Afghan people Tuesday, "America ba shooma ahst" -- "America is with you" -- and urged women not to idle on the sidelines of that country's post-Taliban life.

From a small recording booth at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty headquarters in downtown Prague, Mrs. Bush made an unprecedented broadcast into Afghanistan that was translated into its most common languages, Pashto and Dari.

"I am thrilled to be able to speak with you directly, to let you know that the people of America are committed to the people of Afghanistan. We care about you and we will be your partners in the reconstruction of your country," she said, closing her solo debut as a U.S. ambassador overseas.

She and daughter Jenna, 20, join President Bush in Berlin on Wednesday.

The first lady was blunt in her assessment of Afghan women who suffered brutal oppression under five years of stern Islamic Taliban militia rule.
(More: The Macon Telegraph News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

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