These photoes are meaningful than many words. Elections in Afganistan are the first step with their re-discovered democracy. Thanks to U.S.A.!
Posted on 09/19/2005 2:49:11 AM PDT by alessandrofiaschi
KABUL, Afghanistan – Some filed into schools to cast their ballots amid lessons still scrawled on blackboards. Others stepped over piles of shoes to vote in mosques. In remote areas, tents served as polling stations.
Across Afghanistan, millions lined up at polling stations in defiance of a Taliban boycott call and militant attacks to vote for a new parliament Sunday.
It was the last formal step in starting a democracy aimed at ending decades of rule by the gun.
“Today is a magnificent day for Afghanistan,” said Ali Safar, 62, standing in line to vote in Kabul. “We want dignity, we want stability and peace.”
Officials hailed the polls as a major success, although initial estimates suggested voter turnout was lower than hoped for because of security fears and frustrations over the inclusion of several warlords on the ballot. Results were not expected for more than a week.
Many people looked to a big vote to marginalize renegade loyalists of the ousted Taliban regime by demonstrating public support for an elected government built up under the protection of 20,000 soldiers in the American-led coalition and 11,000 NATO peacekeepers.Washington and other governments have poured in billions of dollars trying to foster a civic system that encourages Afghanistan’s fractious ethnic groups to work together peacefully and ensure the nation is never again a staging post for al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.
“After 30 years of wars, interventions, occupations and misery, today Afghanistan is moving forward, making an economy, making political institutions,” President Hamid Karzai said as he cast his ballot nearly a year after his own victory in an election that defied Taliban threats.
He praised Afghans for going out to vote for the parliament and 34 provincial councils “in spite of the terrorism, in spite of the threats.”
Fifteen people, including a French commando in the U.S.-led coalition, were killed in a spate of violence during the day. But there was no spectacular attack as threatened by Taliban militants, whose stepped-up insurgency the past six months caused more than 1,200 deaths.
Heavy security kept most violence away from polling stations. Election officials reported three people wounded and no one killed in attacks near polls and said only 16 of the 6,270 voting stations did not open because of security threats.
Vote counting begins Tuesday, and with donkeys and camels being used to collect ballots in some remote areas, preliminary election results are not expected until early October.
Even then, it likely will take time to figure out who has the power in the new Wolesi Jirga, a parliament with 249 seats, 68 of which are set aside for women. Most of the 2,775 candidates ran as independents, and Karzai was careful not to publicly favor anyone, fearing renewed tensions if any political blocs become too powerful.
Rights activists viewed the election as a big step for women in this traditionally male-dominated society. The 5,800 candidates for parliament and the provincial assemblies included 582 women, and a quarter of legislative seats are reserved for women.
The United States started Afghans on the road toward democracy when it led a military campaign in late 2001 to topple the Taliban for refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden and close al-Qaida camps. A tribal council adopted a constitution early in 2004, followed by Afghanistan’s first presidential election last fall and then Sunday’s parliament ballot.
At least 190 U.S. military personnel have been killed in or near Afghanistan during that period, and Washington hopes the strengthening Afghan democracy will calm the insurgency and let American troops start to withdraw.
U.S. Ambassador Ronald Neumann called the elections a “great success,” putting an optimistic cast on reports that voter turnout appeared lower than for October’s presidential election.
“In America, only half of the people vote,” Neumann said. “If people are getting a little more used to elections, then maybe Afghanistan is turning into a normal country.”
Election organizers said voter turnout figures would not be known until today.
Karzai said large numbers of women voted in several areas wracked by violence, including in the southern city of Kandahar, a former stronghold of the repressive Taliban regime.
“Their participation in the election is a very, very positive step,” he said.
But entrenched attitudes were still evident. At a Kuchi nomad voting center east of Kabul, an Associated Press Television News cameraman saw women in all all-encompassing burqas handing their ballots to men to fill out as electoral officials watched without intervening.
In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the election showed “the clear determination of the Afghan people to pursue the peaceful and democratic development of their nation.”
Some 12.4 million Afghans were registered to vote, up from 10 million for the presidential election.
Chief electoral officer Peter Erben called turnout “extremely healthy,” but some officials and independent election monitors were disappointed.
The Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan, a monitoring body partly financed by the U.S. government, estimated 30 percent to 35 percent of registered voters cast ballots, based on observations from 7,500 monitors across the country. Turnout last fall was about 75 percent.
“People were scared of suicide bombings, rocket attacks, shootings and all the other violence we’ve seen in recent months,” said foundation spokesman Farid Farhangfar.
Saman Zia-Zarifi, deputy Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch, which had 14 observers in the field, said the inclusion of several notorious candidates, such as warlords responsible for much of the bloodshed during the 1990s civil war, disenchanted some Afghans.
Abdul Makin, a state prosecutor doubling as a polling organizer in Kabul, agreed.
“Warlords destroyed our country and now the ballot is full of them,” he said. “I didn’t vote because I wasn’t sure any of the candidates are honest. Last year, there were long queues of people waiting to vote. Today we’ve seen none of that.”
These photoes are meaningful than many words. Elections in Afganistan are the first step with their re-discovered democracy. Thanks to U.S.A.!
I disagree with the Moderator who Pulled this post for this reason: uncorrect story box. I'll try to repost some comments of other freepers. I'm sorry.
(reposted again)
Department of Redundancy Department.
Cooperation is always better than confrontation. Freedom begets freedom. Failing to support the freedoms and rights of others puts one's own freedom at risk.
All we ask is that you remember the words that Benjamin Franklin gave his countrymen 200 years ago. On leaving the Constitutional Convention, Mr. Franklin was approached by a Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia, who asked him, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it." [Reference: http://www.thenewamerican.com/tna/2000/11-06-2000/vo16no23_republic.htm--the linked article explains the difference between a 'republic' and a 'democracy', and also addresses other relevant issues]
Originally posted on 09/19/2005 2:23:52 AM PDT by sourcery (Givernment: The way the average voter spells "government.")
Note: The following text (minus the photographs) is an exact quote:
---
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2005/20050918_2784.html
Afghans, Coalition Provide Safe Environment for Voters
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2005 – For the third straight day, Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and coalition forces stymied enemy efforts to disrupt elections, as Afghan voters filled the more than 6,100 polling stations in every province today, military officials in the Afghan capital of Kabul reported.
Signifying her vote, an Afghan woman proudly displays her ink-stained finger Sept. 18 in Lash Kar Gah in Afghanistan's Helmand province. Photo by 1st Sgt. Stephanie Hika, USA (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
Afghan National Police, ANA and coalition forces detained three suspected enemy fighters in Wardak and Ghanzi provinces; discovered and destroyed at least six improvised explosive devices in Khost, Kunar and Paktika provinces; fought off direct enemy attacks in Khost, Nangarhar and Paktika provinces; and discovered a weapons cache near the forward operating base at Salerno.
"I am not afraid to go and vote. I want to vote. It is how we can fight this terrorism. I want to be able to choose who represents me in our government," said Saifullah Haqmal, an Afghan student from Khost province. "I think it is important for everyone to participate in the vote for national and local parliament. This election will bring a bright future for us."
Enemy efforts to disrupt the elections proved to be insignificant, with no reports of effective attacks against polling stations.
"The success of Afghan elections clearly shows how earnestly Afghan people want a truly free and democratic country," said Army Lt. Col. Michael Fenzel, deputy commanding officer, Regional Command East. "These elections are yet another powerful reminder, among many I have witnessed, that Afghanistan will not be controlled by the Taliban, al Qaeda, or other enemy forces."
Fenzel praised the work and courage of Afghan security forces. "The ANA and ANP have been inspirational in their efforts to pursue democracy today," he said, "and courageous in their efforts to prevent attacks in the days and weeks leading up to this historic day."
In other news from Afghanistan, a U.S. servicemember and two ANA soldiers were wounded early today north of Salerno.
They were part of a joint U.S. and Afghan patrol to disrupt enemy activity in the area. The element received small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. During the engagement, the patrol called in attack helicopters to provide additional support. Two enemy were killed in action.
"Incidents like this will have no effect on today's elections; the Afghan people will have a secure environment to cast their vote today for their candidates and for their own future," said Army Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara, Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman.
The soldiers were taken to local hospitals for treatment, and were listed in stable condition.
In the air war over Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew 22 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Sept. 17 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, the parliamentary and provincial election process, and reconstruction activities, and providing presence route patrol, U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials said.
U.S. Air Force A-10s and a B-52 provided close air support to coalition ground forces near Asadabad, Bagram, Jalalabad, Khowst, Oruzgan, and Worzhanan Kalay.
Ten U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, and French Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Royal Air Force fighter aircraft also performed in a nontraditional ISR role.
(Compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and U,S. Central Command Air Forces news releases.)
Related Sites:
Combined Forces Command Afghanistan
U.S. Central Command Air Forces
An Afghan woman casts her ballot at a girl's high school Sept. 18 in Lash Kar Gah in Afghanistan's Helmand province . In a country of roughly 30 million voting-age people, more than 12 million registered voters turned out to cast their ballots at the polls. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell, USA
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An Afghan man casts his ballot at a polling station in Lash Kar Gah in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Sept. 18. Polling stations were busy, but orderly, across the city. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell, USA
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Thank you alessandrofiaschi for the post and photos.
Surely the camera on one of the photoes above, is not of CNN or CBS...
You're welcome! My name is simply: Alessandro. The other part is my surname.
Ok Alessandro and again, thank you.
Because the election went so well and the news from N Korea The Leftards are deeply saddened.
prisoner6
Abdul Makin, a state prosecutor doubling as a polling organizer in Kabul, agreed.
“Warlords destroyed our country and now the ballot is full of them "
War sucks - Democracy doesn't.
"Across Afghanistan, millions lined up at polling stations in defiance of a Taliban boycott"
That's beautiful!
"Election officials reported three people wounded and no one killed in attacks near polls and said only 16 of the 6,270 voting stations did not open because of security threats."
The Taliban, even combined with Al Qaeda, could close fewer than 1/2 of 1 percent of Afghan polling stations...
...that's militarily insignificant.
They couldn't stop **civilians** from voting at more than 6,250 polling stations.
What the heck can they do against armed forces if they can't stop civilians?!
Liberal media need to tell us that everything is wrong. This is the main reason why Bush's rating is not high (apart from any numbers' manipulation).
"Liberal media need to tell us that everything is wrong. This is the main reason why Bush's rating is not high (apart from any numbers' manipulation)."
It also helps to explain why the liberal news media loses circulation and audience numbers month after month, year after year.
Part of Rove's "tar baby" plan is to drive the liberal news media absolutely over the edge with their obsession about GWB. This will further drive down their credibility and audience "reach" as future elections come up (e.g. 2006, 2008, etc.).
At some point a few of the less unclever 'Rats will look up and say "Oh man, GWB is retiring...we've been spending all of our time attacking him when he can't even run for Office again").
It will be too late by the time a few of them begin having that thought, however.
Besides, they wouldn't know what else to do besides bash Bush. They are 1 dimensional.
Glad to see Gen. Dostum made it to the polls.
Very Cool photo. (When they don't have to wear the coverings for fear of reprisal, that's when democracy will have really taken hold - but how wonderful they are on their way!)
To all, you cannot reply to the posts reported inside my own above. Sorry again!
This student understands that these are terrorists, NOT insurgents, who are causing the mayhem. God Bless the people of Afghanistan who long for freedom from tyranny.
"You're welcome! My name is simply: Alessandro. The other part is my surname."
Which makes you one cool Italian!
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