">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Karzai approves August date for Afghan polls
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Karzai approves August date for Afghan polls
AFP - Sunday, March 8
KABUL (AFP) - - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Saturday that presidential elections will go ahead on August 20 and called for a "national consensus" to decide on who should rule the country after his term ends in May.
ADVERTISEMENT
Karzai, under huge pressure from the United Nations, the United States and other Afghan allies to support the August date set by the election commission, caused a stir last week when he called for an April ballot.
But on Saturday the president told a press conference he accepted the election commission's decision.
"I accept the decision of the election commission... and I call on all sides to respect the decision and allow the commission to do their job," he said.
Karzai's political opponents, including several potential candidates, have called on him to hand over power to an interim administration when his term ends, particularly if he decides to stand for a second term in office.
But on Saturday he dismissed the demand, instead calling for a "national consensus" on who should rule.
"I want legitimate government, whether I'm a candidate or not. That legitimacy comes from the constitution, or going to the people's will," he said.
"I'm ready for both, ready for (implementing) the constitution and ready for a national consensus," he added, without giving further details.
The president initially said he objected to the August date because his five-year term expires on May 21 and the constitution states that the vote must be held 30 to 60 days before that date.
But the commission said staging elections in a matter of weeks was impossible given the overwhelming security problems in the insurgency-wracked country.
In January, the election commission delayed the vote until August, saying it needed the time to prepare and also wanted NATO military reinforcements on the ground to help secure the polls from Taliban attack.
The United States recently announced the deployment of 17,000 extra troops, mainly to the south where the insurgency is at its worst, but those soldiers are unlikely to be fully in place until July, under current planning.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer asked in January for the Alliance to provide 10,000 extra troops for the election.
Karzai, who won a 55 percent majority in 2004 presidential polls, but whose popularity has been severely damaged by his failure to check rising violence and corruption levels, indicated he would like to serve a second term.
But he said he would only do so if he could be a force for greater stability in Afghanistan, where the Taliban insurgency has intensified over the past two years, despite the presence of about 70,000 international soldiers.
The vote will be the country's second ever presidential election to be conducted under universal suffrage.
There is hot debate on the legitimacy of any power Karzai may hold between May and August.
The opposition has called for the creation of an interim administration, but some analysts have suggested that declaring a state of emergency is a better solution.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Japan beat S.Korea in World Baseball ClassicAFP - 14 minutes ago
Karzai says he could rule months beyond his termAP - 38 minutes ago
Johnson rattles SA in second cricket TestAFP - 1 hour 29 minutes ago
Gay Mardi Gras parade attracts 300,000 revelersAP - 2 hours 1 minute ago
Bombs kill 11 in Pakistan; US drone reported downAP - 2 hours 10 minutes ago
Enlarge Photo
Karzai approves August date for Afghan polls
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Ladyboy lizards use transvestite trickery: researchers
Zimbabwe PM hurt, wife killed in car crash: party
Russian media teases Clinton over 'reset' button
Banking meltdown drags Iceland into recession
Broken-legged smuggler caught with 'cocaine' cast
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 7 March 2009 Zimbabwe PM Tsvangirai hurt, wife killed in crash
| International
|
Protests in Sudan capital, aid groups issue warning
| International
|
Tongue-tied Clinton gets warm EU welcome
| International
|
Venezuela takes over tree farm of Irish company
| International
|
Warm winter fuels rise in Afghan border violence
| International
|
Facing Israeli demolition, Palestinian razes his home
| International
|
Killing of rights activists angers Kenyans
| International
|
German court fines man $2,300 for SMS message
| Technology
|
Labor Sec. Solis Releases $3.5 Billion In Response To Dismal Jobs Report
GOP Warns Of Re-Election Defeat For Florida Rep. Alan Grayson
Unemployment Rate Hits 8.1 Percent, Highest In 25 Years
Macy's Renovated SC Store Reopening As Chain Closes 11 Other Stores In 9 States
Unemployment Rate Now At 8.1 Percent, Highest In 25 Years
Suleman Multiple Births Prompt Proposals To Impose Stricter Rules On Fertility Industry
Indiana Counties Granted Federal Disaster Aid
Bristol, VA United Way's Fundraising 8% Short, Will Use Surplus From Better Years To Fully Fund Partner Agencies
Stopgap Measure To Keep Gov't Running After Senate Delays $410 Billion Omnibus
Both Hearst And Employees Of Seattle Post-Intelligencer Exploring Online Only Version If No Buyer Found
Coolio arrested at LA airport for possessing crack
| Entertainment
|
ABC looks for replacement stars for Dancing
| Entertainment
|
Charlie Chaplin's son, Sydney, dies at 82
| Entertainment
|
Football star, actor Brian Bosworth arrested for DUI
| Entertainment
|
Pamela Anderson shakes up Vivienne Westwood show
| Entertainment
|
New wavers Devo to perform 1978 album in London
| Entertainment
|
U.S. pork producers brace for HBO special on cruelty
| Entertainment
|
Zimbabwe PM Tsvangirai hurt, wife killed in crash
| International
|
Medic says member of Gaza rocket squad killed
Clinton seeks to bolster U.S. ties with Turkey
China says G20 summit success a priority
| International
|
Bomb attack on Pakistani police kills eight
| International
|
Iraq withdrawal raises concerns for elite forces
US launches telescope to look for Earth-like planets
China warns world against hosting Dalai Lama
| International
|
Iraqi PM reaches out to Saddam supporters
Belgian government, BNP reach new deal to save Fortis
Dalai Lama fears explosion of violence in Tibet
| International
|
651,000 jobs lost as US hits 25-year jobless high
U.S.-led troops not protecting civilians enough: study
| International
|
Obama to reverse Bush limits on stem-cell research
Morocco cuts ties with Iran over Bahrain
| International
|
Doucoure hurdles to second European title
Zimbabwe PM hurt, wife killed in car crash: party
OPEC rubbishes IEA on oil prices
US launches telescope to look for Earth-like planets
Microsoft's new system easier for browser switch
| Technology
|
Kepler telescope reaches orbit: NASA
Cybersecurity chief Beckstrom resigns
| Technology
|
U.S. and Russia pledge fresh start in relations
Top US military officer: Mexico violence a crisis
Craigslist chief 'mystified' by sheriff's sex ad lawsuit
Obama announces plans to fill key foreign policy posts
US-TECH Summary
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 589
Microsoft's new system easier for browser switch
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,255
Cybersecurity chief Beckstrom resigns
Congress sends Obama spending as stop-gap
Top US cybersecurity official quits
Appeal for calm following clashes in Martinique
Thought-propelled wheelchair developed in Italy
German deputy resigns key posts after child porn raid
Google, , Microsoft urged not to censor search
Georgia revamps military amid Russia tensions: minister
Seattle paper may have digital future
Coolio arrested for crack possession
| Entertainment
|
U2 to begin world tour in Spain on June 30: report
| Entertainment
|
ABC looks for replacement stars for Dancing
| Entertainment
|
Amy Winehouse charged with assault
| Entertainment
|
Lollapalooza taps Kings of Leon, Jane's Addiction
| Entertainment
|
Fighting in Sri Lanka kills 32 rebels: ministry
Afghans protest US raid official says killed 4
US envoy calls on NKorea to drop harsh rhetoric
Afghans protest after overnight raid kills 4
Tonnes of elephant tusks smuggled into Vietnam: reports
China says G20 summit success a priority
China calls for closer US ties in economic crisis
Hollywood pulling plug on hospital for its own
Dalai Lama wants 'Greater Tibet', China says
Football star, actor Brian Bosworth arrested for DUI
Four militants killed in India's northeast: police
In Ouagadougou's popular video clubs Hollywood trumps Africa
Car bomb kills eight in NW Pakistan: police
Football player, actor Bosworth arrested for DUI
World's biggest banks to meet in London: report
Pakistani cenbank sells 4 bln rupees of T-bills
S.Korea Lee says govt has ways to stabilise currency
EU says SKorea trade talks at 'crucial' point
Schwarzenegger: Ohio shouldn't worry about economy
China Geely boss says open to overseas auto deals
Chelsea football boss warns against perils of booze culture
Phish dusts off deep cuts in return to stage
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Coolio out on bail after drug arrest at LA airport
Lollapalooza taps Kings of Leon, Jane's Addiction
Father of Italian painting gets big Rome show
SKorea, Indonesia agree to boost cooperation
'Impressionism' delays its Broadway opening
Kanye West booked with Clarkson on `American Idol'
U2 to begin world tour in Spain on June 30: report
Russia pushes for new strategic arms pact with U.S.
| International
|
Pakistan militants shoot down US drone: officials
Palestinian PM resigns but Abbas asks him to continue
| International
|
Palestinian PM resigns to pave way for unity govt
Iran says open to Afghan meeting offer from U.S.
| International
|
Karzai approves August date for Afghan polls
Clinton seeks to bolster U.S. ties with Turkey
| International
|
Britain takes 65% stake in Lloyds Banking Group
U.S. drone believed crashed in Pakistan
| International
|
South Sudan party condemns aid group expulsion
Russian media teases Clinton over 'reset' button
Clinton encourages Israel, Syria contacts
Afghan president says to stay in office till polls
| International
|
Iran says open to Afghan meeting offer from U.S.
Iraqis resilient but mental health care lacking: U.N.
| International
|
Iraqi mental health study shows need for more care
US envoy holds 'constructive' talks with Syrians
Clinton in talks with Turkish leaders
Iran mulls US invitation to Afghan conference
Facebook courting Twitter lovers
Internet Explorer will come with 'off' switch in Windows 7
'Right moment' for progress on disarmament: Russia
Gay Mardi Gras parade attracts 300,000 revelers
Bombs kill 11 in Pakistan; US drone reported down
Malaysian police fire teargas at protestors: witnesses
Australia lead Thailand in Davis Cup tennis
Three-way tie for Thailand Open golf lead
Japanese workers demand pay rise amid recession
Johnson rattles SA in second cricket Test
China insists gas field its own business despite Japanese protests
Sri Lanka says its forces kill 32 Tamil rebels
Phish lands another keeper in reunion
Tibetan women held for protesting in western China
Canadian Bus Beheader Not Criminally Liable For Crime
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights