Afghanistan's Karzai Intends To Create Unity Government

Afghanistan's re-elected President Hamid Karzai says he intends to setup a government with maximum representation from across the country andpromised to introduce reforms aimed at eradicating corruption as wellas strengthening Afghan security forces. He spoke in Kabul a day afterthe country's election officials declared him winner of thecontroversial August 20 election.

Newly re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai, speaking in Kabul, said he will welcome opponents into his government and promised reforms to root out corruption, 03 Nov 2009President Hamid Karzai told a newsconference in Kabul that improving security and ensuring goodgovernance will remain high on his agenda as he embarks on a newfive-year term. In order to achieve these goals, the Afghan leadersays he will work towards establishing what he described as "a nationalunity government".

"My governmentwill for all Afghans and all those who want to work with me are mostwelcomed regardless of whether they opposed me in the election or theysupported me in the election," Karzai said.

PresidentKarzai's administration has remained under fire from the United Statesand other Western allies for not taking concrete steps to root outwidespread corruption.  

Earlier, in a telephone call tocongratulate him on his re-election, U.S. President Barack Obama urgedthe Afghan leader to implement reforms and take action againstcorruption.

President Karzai promised to take tough action to overcome these problems.
 
"Weare aware of the difficulties of our governance and the environment inwhich we live. We will keep trying our best to address the questionsfacing Afghanistan and to make sure that the wishes of the Afghanpeople come true towards an effective clean government legally bound. And also at the same time to make sure that the tax payers' moneycoming to us from your countries is spent wisely and rightly," he said.

Afghanelection officials declared Mr. Karzai the winner after his main rivalAbdullah Abdullah withdrew from a runoff that had been set for November7 to resolve the controversy over the fraud-plagued first round of votingin August.  

The former foreign minister announcedhis decision after President Karzai rejected his demands that includedthe dismissal of the head of the country's Independent ElectionCommission and several ministers. Abdullah maintained his demands werenot met and he believed the voter fraud was likely to reoccur in therunoff election.

At a separate newsconference, U.S Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry said theconclusion of the election process is a new opportunity for theinternational community to work closely with Afghan leaders.

"Weneed to make serious, serious efforts over the next several years toreally develop the Afghan National Army and police of Afghanistan, soincreasingly Afghanistan has the capability to provide directly thesecurity for its own people. And very serious efforts made and veryserious progress made in trying to improve the accountability of thegovernments. Really fight the problem of corruption take it head-onand deal with it. And we the International community, we have role toplay in this," Eikenberry said.

While the electioncontroversy has settled and the political uncertainty seems to be over,U.S. President Barack Obama has yet to announce his decision whether tosend more troops to Afghanistan, where the rising Taliban insurgencyhas undermined international efforts to bring security to the country.

Taliban insurgents have termed President Karzai's returnas a farce, and vowed to continue a campaign they say is aimed atdriving foreign forces out of Afghanistan.