Rivals Gang Up on Karzai, Seek a Champion

[seemslikeadream]

Agencies, Arab News

KABUL, 27 August 2004 — Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s rivals yesterday challenged him to quit the presidential race or face them in a public debate, even as they searched for a viable challenger to unite behind.

Karzai’s opponents believe the odds are unfairly stacked in his favor for an election on Oct. 9 that marks the climax of Afghanistan’s political transition, following the overthrow of the Taleban militia by US-led forces in late 2001.

“Since Karzai is abusing his position of power and monetary resources for the election, I and the council (of opposition candidates) support Karzai’s resignation,” Hamayoun Shah Asifi told a news conference flanked by 14 other challengers or their representatives.

Pedram said among those looking for an alternative to Karzai were the powerful governor of western Herat province, Ismail Khan and Defense Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, both of whom are Tajiks, ethnic Uzbek general Abdul Rashid Dostum and Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq.

http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2004%20News%20archives/August/27%20n/Rivals%20Gang%20Up%20on%20Karzai,%20Seek%20a%20Champion.htm

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=770521
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=737677

[A_Possum]

1. Too bad we've all forgotten about this

It will be just peachy when Ismail Khan, Qasim Fahim, and Dostum, some of the top Butchers of Afghanistan, get behind a candidate.

[seemslikeadream]

2. Karzai urged to try Afghan renegade commander

Governor Ismail Khan, a legendary fighter in the war of liberation against the Soviet Union and one-time prisoner of the Taliban, is a Tajik, whereas Amanullah Khan, like Karzai, is from the country's Pashtun majority.

Ismail Khan told Reuters on Saturday he had not committed his support to anyone in an election that marks the end of the phase of interim and transitional governments headed by Karzai since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001.

Ismail Khan also played down talk by a Tajik presidential candidate, Latif Pedram, that he was part of a group of mujahideen leaders and the Uzbek general Abdul Rashid Dostum searching for a common candidate to field against Karzai.

"No, this is not true. I have not formed any coalition with Pedram, Dostum, Mohaqiq or Qanuni about this," he said.
more
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL4776.htm

Karzai taking advantage of his power: challengers

KABUL: Fifteen presidential candidates hoping to unseat President Hamid Karzai in October elections complained on Thursday that the Afghan leader is using his position to gain an advantage in the electoral campaign and called on him to step down at a joint press conference.

The challengers said Karzai was spending government money on his re-election drive, and also criticised a government edict that bars them from going to universities and schools to promote themselves until the campaign formally kicks off on September 9.

“Karzai should resign. At the very least he should respond to our complaints and reassure the international community,” said Hamayoon Shah Asifi, one of the candidates.

Yunus Qanooni, a former education minister in Karzai’s Cabinet who is considered one of the main challengers, also called on Karzai to step down, saying it was “the best way to ensure that government facilities are not used in the campaign.” “The government wants to kill democracy on its very first day of life,” Qanooni said.
more
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_27-8-2004_pg4_11

Karzai's opposition, however, doesn't like the way democracy has been scripted so far.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP297310.htm

[Sagan]

3. Correct me if I'm wrong...

But wasn't Karzai trumpeted by the U.S. as an "interim" President who would serve no more than 6 months before giving way to the ELECTED President of Afghanistan?