Donors Pledge Over $21 Billion for Afghan Reconstruction

French President Nicolas Sarkozy opened the conference by promising to more than double French aid to 107 million euros ($166 million) over three years, saying the aim of the donation was to "rid Afghanistan of terrorists and drugs."

 

The United States, represented by first lady Laura Bush, promised nearly half of the total donations, with a $10.2 billion (6.6 billion euro) pledge over the next two years that still has to be approved by Congress.