Mr Blair could have waited until May 2002, but the fear is that by delaying until the last few months, the government's well laid plans are more likely to be overtaken by events. Dictating the timing of the election is seen as taking charge of the agenda. A number of other factors coincide to make a June election desirable for the government. The Takhar refugees were driven out of their homes by Taliban advances last year, many with only the clothes they stood up in. The situation is difficult even for those who are still in their homes.
Afghans cling to their homes and land because the prospect of becoming a refugee is so terrible.
The head of the United Nations Refugee Agency, Ruud Lubbers, has called the situation insane. He wants both sides in the civil war to call a ceasefire so that Afghans can try to cope with the worst droughts in living memory.