Afghans Face Violent Short Cut to Democracy

[seemslikeadream]

By Simon Cameron-Moore
KABUL (Reuters) - A Taliban bombing campaign is expected to herald Afghanistan's historic presidential polls on October 9, but after a quarter-century of foreign occupation, civil war, and Taliban rule, Afghans are philosophical.

Close to 1,000 people, including civilians, election workers and aid workers, as well as combatants, have been killed in the past 12 months as the Taliban, al Qaeda and their allies have stepped up their campaign of violence.

But despite fears of worse to come, some -- notably in Washington -- see the polls, which U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai is favorite to win, as the best hope for stability.

"There is a saying: 'Forget your troubles, there'll be more tomorrow'," said Hamidullah Tarzi, a former minister and an academic and writer.

Tension in Kabul since a car bombing last Sunday that killed at least eight people, has been high with extra security causing even worse than normal traffic jams at checkpoints and roadblocks. City restaurants have been empty of foreigners.

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http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6143966