UN chief: 2009 is critical for Afghanistan

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UN chief: 2009 is critical for Afghanistan
By Edith M. Lederer - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Mar 14, 2009 10:11:44 EDT

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations’ chief said Friday he expects more attacks and armed clashes in Afghanistan as voters head to the polls in a few months, additional international troops arrive and more foreign militants flow in.

Calling 2009 a critical year, Ban Ki-Moon painted a grim picture: deteriorating security, widespread corruption, and the failure of the government and the international community to meet the expectations of the Afghan people who need aid to cope with drought and rising food prices.

“The government, security forces and population of Afghanistan, along with its international partners, face a critical test in 2009,” Ban said in a report to the Security Council and the General Assembly.

“At stake over the next six months is the relegitimization of the government’s authority through credible elections, as well as the continuation of the constitutional order,” he said.

The Afghan election commission set Aug. 20 as the date for presidential and provincial council elections, three months after the expiration of President Hamid Karzai’s term May 22.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_afghanistan_031409/%2e