http://worldmeets.us/images/afghan-voter-man-2014_pic.jpg

Am man shows his voter ID and he waits to cast his ballot in local and

presidential polls in Paktia, Afghanistan. Most recent estimates are that

about half of all eligible voters participated in Saturday's elections.

 

 

Job One for New Afghan President: Sign U.S. Security Deal (Outlook Afghanistan, Afghanistan)

 

"A complete withdrawal of U.S.-led forces would put Afghanistan at risk of reverting to the dark era of the Taliban, which is something no sensible Afghan wants. ... This successful election has greatly eased the concerns of the people. Yet the future remains uncertain. The new president must realize this and take the country out of its present condition. As a first step, he must sign the BSA as soon as he takes charge of the presidential office."

 

EDITORIAL

 

April 7, 2014

 

Afghanistan - Outlook Afghanistan - Original Article (English)

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's first post-Talibam foreign minister and now-rival of Hamid Karzai, casts his vote in Kabul, Apr. 5. An ethic Tajik, Abdullah is regarded as most likely to take Afghanistan in a new direction. He is expected to finish in first or second place after the first round of voting.

EURONEWS, FRANCE: Afghanistan enjoys peaceful elections; Most people 'thrilled' with outcome, Apr. 5, 00:01:39RealVideo

Afghanistan, contrary to what many feared, held a successful election Saturday. Afghans amazed the world with their enthusiastic participation in April 5th presidential and provincial council elections. Their courage in defying terrorism to cast their votes, despite the threat, has been praised by leaders of prominent countries and organizations like the United States, NATO, the European Union and the United Nations. Meanwhile on Election Day, the Taliban failed to launch a single significant attack, which speaks to the growing capabilities of the Afghanistan National Security Forces. Even the most volatile provinces not only men went to the polls - so did their women.

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America has already indicated its readiness to work with the new president and support the Afghan people in continuing their journey on the path of democracy. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said: “The United States remains ready to work with the next president of Afghanistan. We will continue to stand with the people of Afghanistan as they work to build a democratic future.”

 

With the elections over, certain crucial tasks await the new president, above all, the Bilateral Security Agreement [BSA] with the United States. The agreement is inextricably tied to the future stability of the country and success of the new government. Provided the election doesn't go to a second round, Afghanistan's new president will be in office as soon as next month, and finalizing the BSA must be on his priority list. All of the presidential candidates have promised to sign the deal if elected.

 

Despite all the public pressure and the emphasis of American and NATO authorities, President Hamid Karzai refused to endorse the security agreement, leaving that the new government.

 

The BSA allows a certain number of U.S. and NATO forces to remain in Afghanistan after 2014. They will be tasked with training and supporting Afghanistan's security forces, and to keep an eye on terrorist networks like al-Qaida. Apart from that, international support to Afghanistan, both financial and non-financial, will continue, which will definitely help the country retain the crucial gains accrued over the past 12 years.

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Specifically speaking of the new president, governing Afghanistan without signing the BSA will very challenging. A complete withdrawal of U.S.-led forces would put Afghanistan at risk of reverting to the dark era of the Taliban, which is something no sensible Afghan wants. The main driver of the massive participation in these elections is indeed their hope in the new government. They want the new administration to bolster Afghanistan's relations with the world so that outside support for a better and more secure Afghanistan continues.

 

This successful election has greatly eased the concerns of the people. Yet the future remains uncertain. The new president must realize this and take the country out of its present condition. As a first step, he must sign the BSA as soon as he takes charge of the presidential office.

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Afghanistan Times, Afghanistan: Afghans Support Karzai's U.S. Security Deal Demands
Afghanistan Times, Afghanistan: Karzai is Right - the Taliban are in the Service of U.S.
Asia Times, Hong Kong: Karzai's Curious Counterblast
Die Zeit, Germany: Unwarranted Pessimism Over Leaving Afghanistan
The Nation, Pakistan: U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan: 'Please Don't Wait Until 2014!'
FTD, Germany: The Beginning of the End for the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan
The Nation, Pakistan: U.S.-Afghan-Taliban Talks Must Benefit Pakistan, Not India
Guardian, U.K.: U.S. Suspends Joint Military Operations with Afghan Forces

Telegraph, U.K.: Taliban Hit U.S.- U.K. Afghan Base; 'Miss' Prince Harry

The Independent, U.K.: Obama's Foreign Policy of Reconciliation in 'Tatters'

Frontier Post, Pakistan: Obama's Drone War a PR Disaster for America

Der Spiegel, Germany: President of Dissapointment: How Obama Failed to Deliver

Frontier Post, Pakistan: Panetta Spills Beans: U.S. Handing Afghanistan to India
Thawra Al-Wada, Syria: Middle East Borders to Be Drawn in Arab Blood
Tunis Hebdo, Tunisia: A Method to Bush's Madness?
The Frontier Post: Co-opted U.S. Media Will Always Blame Pakistan
The Frontier Post: Just Say 'Thank You' to Cut in American Aid
The Frontier Post: Letter to A.Q. Khan Resembles CIA Iraq War Forgery
Guardian, U.K.: Pakistani Generals 'Helped Sell Nuclear Secrets'
Guardian, U.K.: Pakistan Hits Back at Mullen Over Journalist's Murder Claim
Dawn, Pakistan: Even if U.S. Nuclear Accusations are True, Pakistan Broke No Law
Asia Times, Hong Kong: America Homes in on al-Qaeda's New Chief
The Nation, Pakistan: CIA Chief Panetta Says Zawahiri Living in Pakistan
The Frontier Post, Pakistan: Obama Withdrawal Plans 'Spell Doom' for Pakistan
The Frontier Post, Pakistan: Karzai Finally Awakens to American Treachery
The Daily Jang, Pakistan: The Beginning of the End of U.S. in Afghanistan?

 

 

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Posted By Worldmeets.US Apr. 7, 2014, 10:43pm