WASHINGTON (voa) – The U.S. government has authorized the release of $217 million belonging to Afghanistan’s Central Bank. The assets had been frozen in the United States since 1999 to force Afghanistan’s former Taleban rulers to hand over terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill announced the move Thursday, saying the funds will help the interim administration of Hamid Karzai in its efforts to stabilize the Afghan economy.
Mr. Karzai arrives in the United States next week for meetings with President Bush, senior administration officials and Congressional leaders. He is expected to be a guest of honor at the U.S. Congress Tuesday, when President Bush delivers his annual State of the Union address.
Washington has pledged millions of dollars to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, devastated by decades of war and years of drought.
Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian supplies are reaching needy Afghans. He said U.S. forces have air-dropped 2.5 million meal packets across Afghanistan.
Mr. Rumsfeld said U.S. forces also airlifted more than 800-tons of wheat, along with thousands of blankets and other supplies. Several major convoy routes inside Afghanistan as well as nine airfields have been opened.
