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Afghan President vows to quit over unruly provinces
Kabul, May 19: Afghanistan`s President has vowed to quit should he fail to bring unruly provinces into line in the next few months, a state-run newspaper reported today.
Kabul, May 19: Afghanistan's President has vowed to quit
should he fail to bring unruly provinces into line in the next few
months, a state-run newspaper reported today.
''Day by day the people of Afghanistan are becoming disappointed
with the government,'' the Arman-e-Millie daily quoted Hamid Karzai
as saying.
Addressing a religious function yesterday, Karzai conceded ordinary Afghans were losing faith in his government -- installed after a U.S.-led military coalition overthrew the fundamentalist Taliban in late 2001.
He said some provinces were collection state customs revenues for their own finances and armies.
''Is the continuation of this condition possible for the survival of peace? No'' he said.
Karzai said also that he had told the Loya Jirga (grand assembly) that confirmed him in power last June that he would not stay in office if it proved impossible for him to work.
He said that if the situation did not improve ''in the coming two or three months...then I will summon the Loya Jirga...and say that the government could not work.''
Karzai said the nation could then choose another government to improve the situation.
His comments came ahead of an expected showdown tomorrow with 12 governors who control customs revenues Kabul says are vital for reconstruction and payment of state salaries.
The finance ministry estimates the 12 provinces earned more than half a billion dollars from customs last year, but only 80 million dollars reached Kabul, undermining the government's efforts to consolidate its rule and bring stability.
Bureau Report
Addressing a religious function yesterday, Karzai conceded ordinary Afghans were losing faith in his government -- installed after a U.S.-led military coalition overthrew the fundamentalist Taliban in late 2001.
He said some provinces were collection state customs revenues for their own finances and armies.
''Is the continuation of this condition possible for the survival of peace? No'' he said.
Karzai said also that he had told the Loya Jirga (grand assembly) that confirmed him in power last June that he would not stay in office if it proved impossible for him to work.
He said that if the situation did not improve ''in the coming two or three months...then I will summon the Loya Jirga...and say that the government could not work.''
Karzai said the nation could then choose another government to improve the situation.
His comments came ahead of an expected showdown tomorrow with 12 governors who control customs revenues Kabul says are vital for reconstruction and payment of state salaries.
The finance ministry estimates the 12 provinces earned more than half a billion dollars from customs last year, but only 80 million dollars reached Kabul, undermining the government's efforts to consolidate its rule and bring stability.
Bureau Report