From The Washington Post: Karzai Vows to Crack Down On Warlords, Drug Dealers. (Via TIA Daily)
"The Afghan people have voted for a government based on laws, based on institutions, and that is what we are going to provide for them," said Karzai, who was officially declared the winner Wednesday after a protracted vote count and an investigation of alleged fraud at the polls. The election was held Oct. 9.Asked if his new government would be rid of the "warlords and drug money" that have tainted his interim administration, Karzai was adamant. "There will not be any private militia forces in Afghanistan. That's the first demand of the Afghan people," he said. "There will definitely, definitely not be any drug thing in Afghanistan."
But the Afghan president did make an amnesty offer to fighters and supporters of the defeated Taliban movement, some of whom have been waging an insurgency against Afghan and U.S. troops from havens in neighboring Pakistan. He said thousands of Taliban loyalists were welcome to return, except for the handful linked to al Qaeda or terrorist acts.
(This cartoon is presented with apologies to Rembrandt, and Houdon for that matter.)
UPDATE -- November 9: This cartoon in today's (Tuesday's) The Detroit News.
Posted by Forkum at November 5, 2004 06:49 PM
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