Afghanistan’s Electoral Complaints Commission has received more than 2,000 complaints of fraud or abuse in last week’s disputed presidential election, with 270 now listed as serious enough to affect the result, it said Friday.
Breaking: Taliban Declared Winners in Afghan Election
August 28, 2009 by Jari
The world has given Afghans $50 billion in grants to see this? Incredibly disappointing, especially for those who believe in the Afghan mission.
Mr Jari,
Is anyone surprised by this? Anan – no offense, but you are kidding, right?
And they’ll take another 50 billion, and sell our kids smack by way of thanks.
A few weeks ago I was spamming AM with my Dirty Jersey goof. I’m just saying, give corrupt govt a chance to work. And get expert advice from the State that leads the Union when it comes to corruption (Illinois bribed us to go first).
Obviously you’re upset – but …I mean come on. Work with what you have. Elections don’t = liberal democracy. And as far as honest govt, I think that’s rare if it even exists.
That events in Afghanistan are cause for concern the world over is not in doubt. However, I think we need to step back a bit and look at things in some perspective.
Not being a fan of his, I have to agree that Karzai is a huge disappointment. Yet, it is also necessary to look at what tools he had to start with. He was made to take over a country which had no economy, was lying in ruins, had no security forces, no infrastructure left and no bureaucracy or systems that were in place. All he had was a ram shackle band of drug dealers, ex drug dealers, war lords and a defeated enemy that was allowed to melt away into the hinterlands and neighbouring Pakistan to continue tormenting the new state. The very fact that he stayed on is amazing.
This is not to undermine the tremendous international assistance and support that was given to Afghanistan but to underline the tremendous odds stacked against anyone who took over. I also feel a lot is being made of his corrupt ways, my belief is that Karzai was perhaps the best of the lot or was there anyone else available who could have delivered? That things should have been much better is not in doubt, but I do feel that what there is should be seen as a silver lining and not a complete disaster.
Nation building is not a one night stand. Maybe worse days lie ahead but they have to be tackled. I admit all this sounds like a good lecture with no concrete suggestions. I don’t have any. I would prefer to be an optimist and say that all is not lost in Afghanistan. It will be though if the world community gives up on the Afghans.