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President Hamid Karzai is taking oath

KABUL (PAN): President Hamid Karzai has renewed his promise to pursue talks with insurgents and dissidents in an effort to bring lasting peace to his war-devastated country and introduce reform to ensure good governance.

Soon after taking oath for a second five-year term here on Thursday, the 51-year-old told participants of the swearing-in ceremony that durable peace had been a longstanding demand of the Afghan nation.  

While urging disgruntled elements to return home, the president said that his administration would welcome all those who wanted to join the national mainstream. The Afghans, having no links to international terror networks, should come back to their country and take part in its reconstruction.

Karzai argued war alone could not guarantee peace and that was why the incoming government would press on with a national reconciliation process. He particularly mentioned Saudi King Abdullah's mediation between Afghan authorities and some former rebels.

Confident that the Saudi ruler would continue to lend his weight to the cause of unity, the president hinted at convening the traditional Loya Jirga as part of a determined bid to end fratricides in a country ravaged by decades of conflict.

In the next three years, he revealed, Afghanistan's nascent security forces would lead counterinsurgency operations in restive parts of the country. Foreign troops' role would be restricted to training the Afghan forces over the next five years, he explained.

With regard to the arrest and prosecution of suspected insurgents, the president said it was the discretion of the Afghan government. He assured stepped-up security of jails and swift justice sector reforms.

"Corruption is a dangerous problem," he admitted, disclosing his new administration would organise a conference in Kabul on effective ways of combating the scourge. He asked his arch political foe Dr. Abdullah Abdullah to work with him on a government of national unity.

Under pressure from the US-led international community to move decisively against widespread graft, he pledged to pick a clean cabinet. Ministers should be pious people committed to good governance and serving the long-suffering masses, he agreed.

Civilian deaths remained an issue of serious concern for the Afghans, said the president, who noted a decline in such slayings. However, he underlined the need for a full stop the killing of ordinary citizens in military operations.

Karzai, who sought greater control over foreign aid to kick-start Afghanistan's economy, admitted narcotics posed a serious threat to the future of the country. His government would be duty-bound to deal with the challenge, he said.

Of his foreign policy goals, Karzai said: "We believe that our friendship with the United States is not limited to our joint struggle against violent extremists, and the forces of division and destruction."

He added the relationship was in fact based on Afghanistan's long-term interests, such as consolidation of stability and tranquility in the region. Afghans would never forget the sacrifices rendered by US soldiers in their endeavour to bring peace to the South Asian country, he remarked.

The president observed Afghanistan's relations with neighbours were based on mutual respect and genuine friendship. "We will make efforts to expand these relations," he said while thanking the neighbouring states for their assistance.

The participation of President Asif Ali Zardari in the oath-taking ceremony was reflective of Pakistan's commitment to the war on terrorism, he remarked. To him, Zardari's presence was also a sign of friendship between the two nations. 

The Indian-educated leader specifically expressed his gratitude to Pakistan and Iran. He also cited Kabul's strategic ties with New Delhi, which has contributed $1.3 billion to Afghanistan's reconstruction, the Russian Federation, Turkey, China and other countries.

PAN Monitor/mud