Our man in Kabul: Karzai installed as Afghan president
Monday 02 November 2009
by Paddy McGuffin An international scramble to congratulate Hamid Karzai on his "re-election" as Afghan president has demolished western claims that the war was about bringing democracy, anti-war campaigners have said.
Mr Karzai was officially declared the victor in an election in which he was the only candidate yesterday after his sole challenger Dr Abdullah Abdullah pulled out of the race.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined the unseemly throng to congratulate Mr Karzai on his re-election, backing the cancellation of the second round run-off.
"The government welcomes the decision by the Independent Electoral Commission," a No 10 spokesman said.
"The Prime Minister has spoken to President Karzai to congratulate him on his re-election. They discussed the importance of the president moving quickly to set out a unifying programme for the future of Afghanistan."
Lindsey German of Stop the War Coalition was scornful of the result and the welcome it received. She said: "It is absolutely farcical. It was a fraudulent election first time round and this time it is pure farce.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/britain/Our-man-in-Kabul-Karzai-installed-as-Afghan-president
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
