Kabul: Noting that Afghanistan faces a
"critical moment", US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today
said President Hamid Karzai's second term provides a new
chance to have "accountability and tangible results" that will
improve the lives of Afghan people.
"We stand at a critical moment on the eve of inauguration
of President Karzai's second term," Clinton, who arrived here
on an unscheduled visit for the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow,
said.
"There is now a clear window of opportunity for President
Karzai and his government to make a new compact with people of
Afghanistan to demonstrate clearly that they're going to have
accountability and tangible results that will improve the
lives of the people who live throughout this magnificent
country," she said.
Karzai was declared elected after his main opponent
Abdullah Abdullah announced his withdrawal from the run-off to
the presidential election.
Earlier in the day, US State Department spokesman Ian
Kelly said Clinton will meet with "Afghanistan's leadership,
international partners and allies, US troops, staff in
Provincial Reconstruction Teams, and Embassy staff".
This is Clinton's fourth trip to Afghanistan and the
first as the Secretary of State.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 23:20