Free Republic

(AGI) - Kabul, 29 Jan. - The second ever presidential elections to be held in the troubled nation of Afghanistan are to take place on August 20. The announcement has come from the electoral commission. The constitution actually stipulates that the ballot should take place before May, but a postponement had already been decided as many areas are still inaccessible in winter and polling stations could not be set up. President in office, Hamid Karzai, has made it known that he intends to stand once again despite facing a clear drop in popularity due to the inability of Kabul's security...

Afghan, Iraq Presidents Call for Coalition to Remain By Jim Garamone American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, June 13, 2004 – The presidents of Afghanistan and Iraq both called for coalition forces to stay in their countries during separate interviews on NBC's "Meet the Press" today. Afghan President Hamid Kharzai and Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar both said the short-term stability of their countries depends on the U.S.-led coalition staying in their respective lands. Yawar said Iraqi security forces cannot handle the security problems today. The threats from Saddam Hussein regime remnants and outside terrorists is potent, he said, and Iraqi security...