Afghan President to tackle corruption
The re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai vows to root out corruption following stern warnings from Western supporters on the issue.
Script:
The streets of Herat erupted with hundreds cheering and waving
banners, to celebrate Afghan President Hamid Karzai's second
term.
Hamid Karzai accepted the decision of the Independent Electoral
Commission to grant him a second term, in a nationally televised
victory speech.
(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI SAYING:
"I thank the IEC. And as I have accepted their decision as a
legal institution when they announced a second round, now I accept
their decision in announcing this result."
Election officials on Monday cancelled a presidential run-off
vote, after Karzai's only rival, former foreign minister Abdullah
Abdullah, withdrew, saying he had serious concerns about the
election.
Following criticism from Western supporters in the wake of his
re-election, Karzai has vowed to tackle corruption.
(SOUNDBITE) (Pashtu) AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI SAYING:
"The Afghan administration has a bad reputation of corruption.
So now we are determined to use all of our forces by any means to
remove this stain from our soil."
But Afghans are divided over the electoral commission's decision
to grant Karzai a second term. While some welcome the decision,
others do not.
SOUNDBITE (Dari) Kabul resident, Haji Daulat:
"No we are not happy with the Independent Election Commission's
decision. Whatever he has done during the last seven or eight
years, it will be the same again. So many people died during his
term and prices went up for everything."
Meantime the head of the Afghanistan Policy and Research Centre,
Harron Mir, says Karzai will have to work hard to gain the respect
of the electorate.
SOUNDBITE (English) HEAD OF AFGHANISTAN POLICY AND RESEARCH
CENTRE, HARRON MIR, SAYING:
"If President Karzai forms a government that could change the
situation and improve the situation within six months or a year
then I think this issue of legitimacy will not be a big issue for
President Karzai because then people will accept him."
Karzai has ruled since U.S.-backed Afghan forces toppled the
Taliban in 2001.
Kirsty Basset, Reuters.