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Afghanistan
Karzai: "Let's try this again..."
2002-02-13
  • Afghanistan's interim administration named Taj Mohammad Wardag as the new governor of eastern Paktia province, despite threats of violence from a local warlord who wants the job. Hamid Karzai personally appointed Wardag, a former governor of northeastern Badakhshan province. Tribal commander Padsha Khan earlier warned he would wage war if anyone else got the boodle was appointed governor, and repeated allegations that his rivals were working with al-Qaeda. "The people, tribes, nation and I do not accept the new governor if he is appointed. We will fight there till the end of al-Qaeda," he said.

    Karzai had earlier appointed Khan, but withdrew his support for the Pashtun tough guy after he tried to take up his post by force two weeks ago, leading to street fighting with a rival warlord.
    Now Karzai's got to make the appointment stick. If Khan tries to keep him out, Karzai either has to come down on him with both feet (rent the feet from Dostum or Ismail Khan if necessary) or he's gonna roll over and be the warlords' puppy. If he's the warlords' puppy, the US would be well advised to take its money and its kind words and go home, because the Afghans are intent on screwing things up royal all over again.
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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