On Monday the American ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, visited the IEC. During his visit he toured IEC facilities and held a press conference that appeared on numerous Afghan and international television stations. I attended the press conference and actually made it onto the news on several channels—something I found out while watching TV and eating my breakfast this morning. (I will be posting the video if one becomes available.)
Eikenberry’s statements regarding the election process were fairly broad and predictable. His primary message was that of the Obama administration’s policy of neutrality towards the presidential candidates—and for good reason. Surprising as it may sound to Westerners following the developments in Afghanistan, many Afghans are convinced that the Obama administration favors Karzai and will actively interfere to ensure his re-election. Karzai came to power in 2002 when he was named interim president of the transitional government. He was subsequently elected to his first term as president in 2004.
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