Hamid karzai: Latest News & Videos, Photos about Hamid karzai | The Economic Times - Page 3 According to sources, the US was hoping that India could help persuade Karzai to ink an agreement for some US troops to stay in Afghanistan after 2014. 12 Dec, 2013, 08.55PM IST Afghanistan Prez Hamid Karzai will arrive to India on Thursday on a 4-day visit during which he is expected to press for supply of military hardware by India to strengthen the country's security. 11 Dec, 2013, 09.41PM IST India cannot officially be a party to the BSA, its critical geopolitical interests are tied to the agreement whose signing has been delayed by Karzai. 6 Dec, 2013, 03.51AM IST Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has invited Indian producers to come and film in his country. He promised safety and provision of logistical support to the filmmakers.

13 Nov, 2012, 12.42PM IST Hamid Karzai today pitched for a joint campaign against extremism with Pakistan and sought its cooperation to jumpstart the peace process. 26 Aug, 2013, 05.44PM IST President Hamid Karzai has blamed the Lashkar-e-Taiba for the strike that was foiled by Afghan security forces and Indian paramilitary forces. 28 May, 2014, 04.01AM IST During his first bilateral meeting with any international leader after assuming charge, Modi thanked Karzai for the assistance provided by the Afghan forces. 27 May, 2014, 08.49PM IST Washington was not surprised that the meeting did not work out at short notice, after Obama arrived at the base on a surprise visit after night fell today. 26 May, 2014, 01.51AM IST "President Karzai & I talked about consulate attack in Herat.

He assured me he will do everything to protect India's Missions in Afghanistan." 23 May, 2014, 09.08PM IST Islamabad has always viewed India’s engagement in Afghanistan with a measure of suspicion and New Delhi is wary of making any move that will fan these concerns. 23 May, 2013, 07.05AM IST Afghan today said it was looking for enhanced defence cooperation with India from where it was expecting supply of lethal military equipment 16 May, 2013, 07.34PM IST President Hamid Karzai President Hamid Karzai Posted on December 20, 2013 by Olivia Enos Karzai Putting Afghanistan’s Future at Risk Afghan President Hamid Karzai is stubbornly refusing to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) that will...… Commentary posted December 3, 2013 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Obama's Afghanistan Soap Opera It sounds like a soap opera… and it might be nothing but theatrics after all. The very public back and forth over whether Afghanistan will adopt a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) allowing U.S.

and NATO troops to remain in the country after 2014 has been dramatic, to say the least. After months of wrangling between Kabul and Washington, the pact was dumped on the Loya… Posted on April 17, 2013 by Helle Dale World Recoils from Boston Marathon Bombing The world has reacted to the Boston marathon bombings with horror and compassion, much as it did to the terrorist...… Posted on November 2, 2009 by Lisa Curtis Afghan Election Uncertainty Ends Now that the November 7th run-off election in Afghanistan has been canceled and Hamid Karzai announced the official...… Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) unveil... Pictures | Getty Images Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) unveil...

April 05, 2007 License Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) unveils a plaque during the road-naming ceremony...Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) unveils a plaque during the road-naming ceremony of Ahmad Shah Massoud Marg - Road - in honour of the great leader of Afghanistan, as Indian External Affaris Minister Pranab Mukherjee (L) and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit (C) look on at a function in New Delhi, 05 April 2007. Karzai was in the country to attend the two-day 14th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit which South Asian leaders wrapped up predicting a new dawn for the region but offering little in terms of concrete action. LessMore Karzai Says Afghans Would Back Pakistan in Clash With U.S. - The New York Times The New York Times Asia Pacific |Afghan President Says His Country Would Back Pakistan in a Clash With the U.S. Search By RAY RIVERA and SANGAR RAHIMI OCT.

23, 2011 Continue reading the main story KABUL, Afghanistan — Days after he stood with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and accused Pakistan of harboring his country’s enemies , President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan said this weekend that his country would support Pakistan if it ever went to war with the United States. He appeared to be trying to reassure Pakistan of Afghanistan’s friendship after months of increasing tensions between the neighboring countries, while also urging Islamabad to sever its ties to militant extremists who are using the country as a haven to attack Afghanistan. But the comments, which were broadcast Saturday on Pakistani television, again displayed Mr. Karzai’s ability to mystify his Western backers who have shored up his administration with billions of dollars in aid and military support during his nearly 10 years as Afghanistan’s leader. “God forbid, if there is ever a war between Pakistan and America, then we will side with Pakistan,” he said in the interview with Geo Television, which was conducted partly in Urdu, partly in English. He added that Afghanistan would back Pakistan in a military conflict with any other country, including its archrival, India, which recently signed a strategic partnership agreement with Afghanistan.

“If Pakistan is attacked, and if the people of Pakistan need help, Afghanistan will be there with you,” Mr. Karzai said. “Afghanistan is a brother.” Advertisement Continue reading the main story Gavin Sundwall, a spokesman for the American Embassy in Kabul, referred questions about the comments to the Afghan government. “But,” he added, “we know that we all share common goals and need to work together to resolve common problems. This is not about war with each other, this is about a joint approach to a threat to all three of our countries: insurgents and terrorists who attack Afghans, Pakistanis and Americans.” The presidential palace did not respond to several requests for clarification. One senior European diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he had not had a chance to speak to the president, called the statements perplexing. “I’m trying to understand what he was really saying,” the diplomat said. “I wish we had clarity on that. This is not the first time that he has made controversial assertions.” The diplomat added that the president might have been trying to strike a calming tone with Pakistan, whose cooperation Mr. Karzai sees as necessary to bring the Taliban to any peace talks.

“But the way he expressed himself is not very productive,” the diplomat said. Mr. Karzai was interviewed on Friday, the day after he stood alongside Mrs. Clinton at the presidential palace as she warned Pakistan that it needed to crack down on militants along the Afghan border. Just a few weeks ago Mr. Karzai was in New Delhi to sign a strategic partnership with India, opening the door for it to train and equip Afghan forces to fill the void left by NATO as it gradually withdraws troops over the next three years. Both actions further frayed relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have been strained recently by cross-border rocket attacks from Pakistan and by complaints by some Afghan officials that Pakistan’s powerful spy agency had a hand in the assassination last month of the chairman of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, Burhanuddin Rabbani, an accusation Pakistan denies. In the interview, Mr. Karzai said Afghanistan was forever in Pakistan’s debt for welcoming millions of Afghan refugees during the last 30 years of conflict, while at the same time pleading with Pakistan to end its support for terrorists hiding out along the border areas. “Against all the Pakistan establishment has done to Afghanistan, Afghanistan is still a brother,” he said.

“Afghanistan will never forget, will never forget the welcome, the hospitality, the respect and the brotherhood shown by the Pakistan people to the Afghan people.” Advertisement Continue reading the main story His comments ignited a wave of angry calls to radio talk shows in Kabul on Sunday. Many Afghans, particularly in the north, consider Pakistan the source of much of its current troubles. One caller said, “When the president calls them brother and the nation calls them enemies, then there will be a conflict between the president and the nation.” There was also political backlash from officials. “We must never involve ourselves in any war, particularly backing Pakistan, which is the cause of all our problems,” warned Arif Rahmani, a Parliament member from the southeastern province of Ghazni, one of the more violent and unstable regions of Afghanistan. Mohammad Saleh Saljoqi, a Parliament member from the western province of Herat, seemed as baffled as anyone. “One day we say that Pakistan is a safe haven for the terrorists, that the Haqqani network is based there and that it is the source of a lot of our problems,” he said.

“And the next day we say Pakistan is our brother country.” The president’s comments recalled his frequent descriptions of the Taliban as our “upset brothers.” Mr. Karzai has also frequently irked his American backers with his inflammatory comments denouncing the allied coalition. He has been particularly critical of civilian casualties, and the night raids and airstrikes that often lead to them, but he also frequently blames foreigners, and the way they deliver aid to Afghanistan, for feeding the widespread corruption that has stymied development. A version of this article appears in print on October 24, 2011, on Page A4 of the New York edition with the headline: Afghan President Says His Country Would Back Pakistan in a Clash With the U.S. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Hamid Karzai - Countries of the world Countries of the world Hamid Karzai Hamid Karzai, GCMG is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan, taking office on 7 December 2004.

Tagged facts collected from text on this page Tagged facts about this page Head of State Hamid Karzai, GCMG (Pashto: حامد کرزی‎, Hāmid Karzay; born 24 December 1957) is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan , taking office on 7 December 2004. He became a dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001.[1] During the December 2001 International Conference on Afghanistan in Germany , Karzai was selected by prominent Afghan political figures to serve a six month term as Chairman of the Interim Administration.[2] He was then chosen for a two year term as Interim President during the 2002 loya jirga (grand assembly) that was held in Kabul , Afghanistan . After the 2004 presidential election, Karzai was declared winner and became President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan .

He won a second five-year-term in the 2009 presidential election.[3] Early life Karzai was born on 24 December 1957 in the Karz area of Kandahar City in southern Afghanistan .[4] He is an ethnic Pashtun of the Popalzai tribe. His father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, served as the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament during the 1960s. His grandfather, Khair Mohammad Khan, had served in the 1919 Afghanistan 's war of independence and as the Deputy Speaker of the Senate. Karzai's family were strong supporters of Zahir Shah, the last king of Afghanistan . His uncle, Habibullah Karzai, served as representative of Afghanistan at the UN and is said to have accompanied King Zahir Shah in the early 1960s to the United States for a special meeting with U.S. President John F. Kennedy.[5] Hamid Karzai attended Mahmood Hotaki Elementary School in Kandahar and Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani School in Kabul .

He graduated from Habibia High School in 1976.[6] From 1979 to 1983, Karzai took a postgraduate course in political science at Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India . He is well versed in several languages, including his native tongue which is Pashto as well as Dari (Persian), Urdu, Hindi, English and French.[7] Early career After obtaining his Master's degree in India he moved to neighboring Pakistan to work as a fundraiser for the anti-communist mujahideen during the 1980s Soviet war in Afghanistan .[8] The Mujahideens were backed by the United States , Pakistan , Saudi Arabia and Iran , and Karzai was a contractor for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) at the time.[9] While Karzai remained in Pakistan during the Soviet intervention,[10] his siblings emigrated to the United States .[8] Following the withdrawal of Soviet forces, Hamid Karzai returned to Afghanistan in early October 1988 to assist in the Mujahideen victory in Tarinkot.

Hamid Karzai assisted in rallying Polpalzai Durrani tribes to oust the regime from the city as well as helped negotiate the defection of five hundred of Dr. Najib's forces.[11] American Special Forces and Hamid Karzai during Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001. When Najibullah's Soviet-backed government collapsed in 1992, the Peshawar Accords agreed upon by the Afghan political parties established the Islamic State of Afghanistan and appointed an interim government to be followed by general elections. Karzai accompanied the first mujahideen leaders into Kabul in 1992 following the Soviet withdrawal.[10] He served as Deputy Foreign Minister in the government of Burhanuddin Rabbani. Karzai was, however, arrested by Mohammad Fahim (Karzai's current Vice President) on charges of spying for Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in what Karzai claimed was an effort to mediate between Hekmatyar's militia and the Islamic State.

When he was released Karzai fled from Kabul in a vehicle provided by Hekmatyar and driven by Gul Rahman.[12] When the Taliban emerged in the mid 1990s, Karzai initially recognized them as a legitimate government because he thought that they would stop the violence and corruption in his country.[13] He was asked by the Taliban to serve as their ambassador but he refused, telling friends that he felt Pakistan 's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was wrongly using them.[1] He lived in Pakistan as among the Afghan refugees, where he worked to reinstate former Afghan King Zahir Shah. On the morning of 14 July 1999, Karzai's father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, was gunned down as he was coming home from a mosque in the city of Quetta. Reports suggest that the Taliban carried out the assassination.[1] Following this incident, Karzai decided to work closely with the United Front (Northern Alliance), which was led by Ahmad Shah Massoud. In 2000 and 2001, he traveled to Europe and the United States to help gather support for the anti-Taliban movement.

As the United States armed forces were preparing for a confrontation with the Taliban in September 2001, Karzai began urging NATO nations to purge his country of Al-Qaeda. He told BBC "These Arabs, together with their foreign supporters and the Taliban, destroyed miles and miles of homes and orchards and vineyards... They have killed Afghans. They have trained their guns on Afghan lives... We want them out."[1] President and Chairman of a transitional administration Karzai appointed as President of the Afghan Transitional Administration at the June 2002 loya jirga (grand assembly) in Kabul , Afghanistan . After the 7 October 2001 launch of Operation Enduring Freedom, the United Front (Northern Alliance) worked with teams of U.S. special forces. Together, they overthrew the Taliban regime and mustered support for a new government in Afghanistan . Karzai and his group were in Quetta ( Pakistan ) at the time, where they began their covert operation. Before entering Afghanistan he warned his fighters: "We might be captured the moment we enter Afghanistan and be killed. We have 60 percent chance of death and 40 percent chance to live and survive. Winning was no consideration.

We could not even think of that. We got on two motorbikes. We drove into Afghanistan."[14] —Hamid Karzai, October 2001 In October 2001, Hamid Karzai and his group of fighters survived a friendly fire missile attack by U.S. Air Force pilots in southern Afghanistan . The group suffered injuries and was treated in the United States ; Karzai received injuries to his facial nerves as can sometimes be noticed during his speeches.[15] On 4 November 2001, American special operation forces flew Karzai out of Afghanistan for protection.[16] Karzai speaking before the U.S. Congress in June 2004 In December 2001, political leaders gathered in Germany to agree on new leadership structures. Under the 5 December Bonn Agreement they formed an Interim Administration and named Karzai Chairman of a 29-member governing committee. He was sworn in as leader on 22 December.

The loya jirga of 13 June 2002, appointed Karzai as Interim President of the new position as President of the Afghan Transitional Administration.[17] Former members of the Northern Alliance remained extremely influential, most notably Vice President Mohammed Fahim, who also served as the Defense Minister. Karzai re-enacted the original coronation of Ahmad Shah Durrani at the shrine of Sher-i-Surkh outside of Kandahar where he had leaders of various Afghan tribes, including a descendent of the religious leader (Sabir Shah) that originally selected Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747 as key players in this event.[18] Further evidence that Karzai views himself fulfilling a Durrani monarch's role arise from statements furnished by close allies within his government.[19] His late brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, made statements to a similar effect.[20] After Karzai was installed into power, his actual authority outside the capital city of Kabul was said to be so limited that he was often derided as the "Mayor of Kabul ".

The situation was particularly delicate since Karzai and his administration have not been equipped either financially or politically to influence reforms outside of the region around Kabul . Other areas, particularly the more remote ones, have historically been under the influence of various local leaders. Karzai has been, to varying degrees of success, attempting to negotiate and form amicable alliances with them for the benefit of Afghanistan as a whole, instead of aggressively fighting them and risking an uprising.[citation needed] In 2004, he rejected an international proposal to end poppy production in Afghanistan through aerial spraying of chemical herbicides, fearing that it would harm the economic situation of his countrymen. Moreover, Karzai's younger brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai – who partially helped finance Karzai's presidential campaign – was rumored to be involved in narcotic deals,[21] which has been rejected. Karzai said that he has sought in writing a number of times, but failed to obtain, proof of allegations that Ahmed Wali was involved in illegal drugs.[22][22] 2004 Afghan presidential election Karzai's inauguration on 7 December 2004, after successfully winning the presidential election.

When Karzai was a candidate in the October 2004 presidential election, he won 21 of the 34 provinces, defeating his 22 opponents and becoming the first democratically elected leader of Afghanistan . Although his campaigning was limited due to fears of violence, elections passed without significant incident. Following investigation by the United Nations of alleged voting irregularities, the national election commission in early November declared Karzai winner, without runoff, with 55.4% of the vote. This represented 4.3 million of the total 8.1 million votes cast. The election took place safely in spite of a surge of insurgent activity.[23] Karzai was officially sworn in as President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on 7 December 2004, at a formal ceremony in Kabul . Many interpreted the ceremony as a symbolically important "new start" for the war-torn nation. Notable guests at the inauguration included the country's former King, Zahir Shah, three former U.S. presidents, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney.

President of Afghanistan First term (2004–2009) After winning a democratic mandate in the 2004 election, it was thought that Karzai would pursue a more aggressively reformist path in 2005. However, Karzai has proved to be more cautious than was expected. After his new administration took over in 2004, the economy of Afghanistan has been growing rapidly for the first time in many years. Government revenue began increasing every year, although it is still heavily dependent on foreign aid. Karzai with former US President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush at Camp David in 2007. During the first term in Karzai's Presidency, public discontent grew about corruption and the civilian casualties in the 2001–present war. In May 2006, an anti-American and anti-Karzai riot took place in Kabul which left at least seven people dead and 40 injured.[24] In May 2007, after as many as 51 Afghan civilians were killed in a bombing, Karzai asserted that his government "can no longer accept" casualties caused by U.S.

and NATO operations.[25] In September 2006, Karzai told the United Nations General Assembly that Afghanistan has become the "worst victim" of terrorism.[26] Karzai said terrorism is rebounding in his country, with militants infiltrating the borders to wage attacks on civilians. He stated, "This does not have its seeds alone in Afghanistan . Military action in the country will, therefore, not deliver the shared goal of eliminating terrorism." He demanded assistance from the international community to destroy terrorist sanctuaries inside and outside Afghanistan . "You have to look beyond Afghanistan to the sources of terrorism," he told the UN General Assembly, and "destroy terrorist sanctuaries beyond" the country, dismantle the elaborate networks in the region that recruit, indoctrinate, train, finance, arm, and deploy terrorists. These activities are also robbing thousands of Afghan children of their right to education, and prevent health workers from doing their jobs in Afghanistan . In addition, he promised to eliminate opium-poppy cultivation in his country, which is possibly helping fuel the ongoing Taliban insurgency.

He has repeatedly demanded that NATO forces take more care when conducting military operations in residential areas to avoid civilian casualties.[27] In a September 2006 video broadcast, Karzai stated that if the money wasted on the Iraq War was actually spent on rebuilding Afghanistan , his country would "be in heaven in less than one year".[28] 2009 re-election and second term The 2009 presidential election billboard for Karzai in Kandahar Province. Karzai won another 5 year term. Karzai discussing security and development issues in Helmand Province on 2 January 2010. On the eve of the 20 August presidential election, Karzai seemed at once deeply unpopular but also likely to win the majority of the votes. He was blamed by many for the failures that plagued the reconstruction of Afghanistan after the toppling of the Taliban government end 2001, from the widespread corruption and the resurgence of the (neo-)Taliban to the explosion of the poppy trade.

His unpopularity and the likelihood of his victory formed an atmosphere with a kind of national demoralization, which could discourage many Afghans from voting and dash hopes for substantial progress after the election.[29][30][31] In this second presidential election, Karzai was announced to have received over 50% of the votes. The election was tainted by lack of security, low voter turnout and widespread ballot stuffing, intimidation, and other electoral fraud.[32] Two months later Karzai accepted calls for a second round run-off vote, which was scheduled for 7 November 2009.[33][34] On 2 November 2009, Karzai's run-off opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew from the race and election officials announced the cancellation of the run-off race. Karzai, the only remaining contender, was declared the winner a short time later.[35] Karzai presented his first list of 24 cabinet nominees to the Afghan parliament on 19 December 2009; however, on 2 January 2010, the parliament rejected 17 of these.

According to the parliament, most of the nominees were rejected due to having been picked for reasons other than their competency. A member of parliament said that they had been picked largely based on "ethnicity or bribery or money."[36] Karzai at the 2011 Afghan Independence Day in Kabul , which is held every year on 19 August to commemorate Afghanistan 's independence from British control over its foreign affairs. On 16 January 2010, the Afghan parliament rejected 10 of the Karzai's 17 replacement picks for cabinet. MPs complained that Karzai's new choices were either not qualified for their posts or had close connections to Afghan warlords. Despite the second setback, by mid-January Karzai had 14 out of the 24 ministers confirmed, including the most powerful posts at foreign, defense and interior ministries.[37] Shortly afterwards, the parliament began its winter recess, lasting until 20 February, without waiting for Karzai to select additional names for his cabinet.

The move both extended the political uncertainty in the government, as well as dealing Karzai the embarrassment of appearing at the London Conference on Afghanistan with nearly half of his cabinet devoid of leaders.[38] Since late 2001 Karzai has been trying for peace in his country, going as far as pardoning militants that lay down weapons and join the rebuilding process. However, his offers were not accepted by the militant groups. In April 2007, Karzai acknowledged that he spoke to some militants about trying to bring peace in Afghanistan .[39] He noted that the Afghan militants are always welcome in the country, although foreign insurgents are not.[40] In September 2007, Karzai again offered talks with militant fighters after a security scare forced him to end a commemoration speech.[41] Karzai left the event and was taken back to his palace, where he was due to meet visiting Latvian President Valdis Zatlers. After the meeting the pair held a joint news conference, at which Karzai called for talks with his Taliban foes. "We don't have any formal negotiations with the Taliban. They don't have an address.

Who do we talk to?" Karzai told reporters. He further stated: "If I can have a place where to send somebody to talk to, an authority that publicly says it is the Taliban authority, I will do it."[41] In December 2009 Karzai announced to move ahead with a Loya Jirga (large assembly) to discuss the Taliban insurgency in which the Taliban representatives would be invited to take part in this Jirga.[42] In January 2010, Karzai set the framework for dialogue with Taliban leaders when he called on the group's leadership to take part in the jirga to initiate peace talks.

A Taliban spokesman declined to talk in detail about Karzai's offer and only said the militants would make a decision soon.[43] In April 2010, Karzai urged Taliban insurgents to lay down their arms and air their grievances while visiting a violent northern province, adding that foreign forces would not leave the country as long as fighting continued.[44] In July 2010, Karzai approved a plan intended to win over Taliban foot soldiers and low-level commanders.[45] Foreign relations Karzai with Russia 's President Dmitry Medvedev in 2010. Karzai speaking at the 47th Munich Security Conference in 2011. Karzai's relations with NATO countries is strong, especially with the United States , due to the fact that it is the leading nation helping to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan . The United States supported him since late 2001 to lead his nation. He has made many important diplomatic trips to the United States and other NATO countries. In August 2007, Karzai was invited to Camp David in Maryland, USA, for a special meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush.

The United States has set up a special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan , which is currently headed by Marc Grossman. His task is to serve as a mediator and solve issues between the three nations. Karzai's relations with neighboring Pakistan are good, especially with the Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He often describes his nation and Pakistan as "inseparable twin brothers", a reference to the disputed Durand Line border between the two states.

In December 2007, Karzai and his delegates travelled to Islamabad , Pakistan , for a usual meeting with Pervez Musharraf on trade ties and intelligence sharing between the two Islamic states.[46] Karzai also met and had a 45-minute talk with Benazir Bhutto on the morning of 27 December, hours before her trip to Liaquat National Bagh, where she was assassinated after her speech.[47] After Bhutto's death, Karzai called her his sister and a brave woman who had a clear vision "for her own country, for Afghanistan , and for the region – a vision of democracy, prosperity, and peace."[48] In September 2008, Karzai was invited on a special visit to witness the sworn in ceremony of Asif Ali Zardari , who became the President of Pakistan .[49] Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have improved after the PPP party took over in 2008. The two nations often make contacts with one another concerning the war on terrorism and trade. Pakistan even allowed NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan to launch attacks on militant groups in Pakistan . This was something strongly opposed by the previous government of Pakistan .

The two states finally signed into law the long awaited Afghan-Pak Transit Trade Agreement in 2011, intended to improve trade.[50][51] Although the U.S. and others often charge that neighboring Iran is meddling in Afghanistan 's affairs, Karzai believes that Iran is a friend despite Iranian-made weapons being found in his country.[52] "We did interdict a shipment, without question the Revolutionary Guard's core Quds Force, through a known Taliban facilitator. Three of the individuals were killed... 48 122 millimetre rockets were intercepted with their various components... Iranians certainly view as making life more difficult for us if Afghanistan is unstable. We don't have that kind of relationship with the Iranians. That's why I am particularly troubled by the interception of weapons coming from Iran.

But we know that it's more than weapons; it's money; it's also according to some reports, training at Iranian camps as well."[53] —General David Petraeus, Commander of US-NATO forces in Afghanistan, 16 March 2011 In 2007, Karzai said that Iran , so far, had been a helper in the reconstruction process.[54] He acknowledged in 2010 that the Government of Iran had been providing millions of dollars directly to his office.[55][56] In October 2007, Karzai again rejected Western accusations against Iran , stating, "We have resisted the negative propaganda launched by foreign states against the Islamic Republic, and we stress that aliens' propaganda should not leave a negative impact on the consolidated ties between the two great nations of Iran and Afghanistan ."[57] Karzai added, "The two Iranian and Afghan nations are close to each other due to their bonds and commonalities, they belong to the same house, and they will live alongside each other for good."[58] However, just a year prior Karzai warned that, " Iran , Pakistan , and others are not fooling anyone." "If they

 don't stop, the consequences will be ...

that the region will suffer with us equally. In the past we have suffered alone; this time everybody will suffer with us.... Any effort to divide Afghanistan ethnically or weaken it will create the same thing in the neighboring countries. All the countries in the neighborhood have the same ethnic groups that we have, so they should know that it is a different ball game this time."[59] —Hamid Karzai, 17 February 2006 Barack Obama meets with Karzai at the Presidential Palace in Kabul , Afghanistan . Some international criticism has centered around the government of Karzai in early 2009 for failing to secure the country from Taliban attacks, systemic governmental corruption, and most recently, widespread claims of electoral fraud in the 2009 Afghan presidential election.[22][22][60] Karzai staunchly defended the election balloting, stating that some statements criticizing the balloting and vote count were "totally fabricated." He told the media that, "There were instances of fraud, no doubt... There were irregularities...

But the election as a whole was good and free and democratic." He further went on to say that, " Afghanistan has its separate problems and we have to handle them as Afghanistan finds it feasible... This country was completely destroyed... Today, we are talking about fighting corruption in Afghanistan , improved legal standards... You see the glass half empty or half full. I see it as half full. Others see it as half empty."[61] In June 2010, Karzai travelled to Japan for a five day visit where the two nations discussed a new aid provided by the hosting nation and the untapped mineral resources recently announced. Karzai invited Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi and others to invest in Afghan mining projects.[62] He told Japanese officials that Japan would be given priority in the bid to explore its resources. He stated, "morally, Afghanistan should give access as a priority to those countries that have helped Afghanistan massively in the past few years."[63] While in Japan , Karzai also made his first visit to Hiroshima to pray for the atomic bomb victims.[64] Japan has provided billions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan since the beginning of 2002.

Relations between Karzai and India have always been friendly, which is the place where he attended university. Afghanistan – India relations began getting stronger in 2011, especially after the death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan . In October 2011, Karzai signed a strategic partnership agreement with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh . During his speech at the RK Mishra Memorial in New Delhi , Karzai told the audience that "The signing of the strategic partnership with India is not directed against any country. It is not directed against any other entity. This is for Afghanistan to benefit from the strength of India ."[65] Assassination attempts Many people have plotted to assassinate Karzai in the last decade, especially the Taliban's Quetta Shura and the Haqqani network which allegedly receives support and guidance from Pakistan 's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy network.[66][67] As recent as October 2011, while Karzai was visiting India to sign an important strategic partnership agreement with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , Afghan agents of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) arrested 6 people in Kabul for planning to assassinate Karzai.

Among those involved in the assassination plot were four Kabul University students and one of its professors, Dr. Aimal Habib, as well as Mohibullah Ahmadi who was one of the guards outside the Presidential Palace in Kabul .[68] The alleged group of assassins were associates of al Qaida and the Haqqani network, and were paid $150,000 by Pakistani-based Islamic terrorists.[69][70][71] A U.S. official said that "Our understanding is that the threat against President Karzai was real, was credible, but it was only in the early stages of planning."[72] The following is a list of other failed assassination attempts: 5 September 2002: An assassination attempt was made on Karzai in the city of Kandahar. A gunman wearing the uniform of the new Afghan National Army opened fire, wounding Gul Agha Sherzai (former governor of Kandahar) and an American Special Operations officer. The gunman, one of the President's bodyguards, and a bystander who knocked down the gunman were killed when Karzai's American bodyguards returned fire.

Recently, some pictures of the US Navy's DEVGRU responding to the attempt have surfaced. 16 September 2004: An attempted assassination on Karzai took place when a rocket missed the helicopter he was flying in while en route to the city of Gardez in eastern Afghanistan. 10 June 2007: The Taliban insurgents attempted to assassinate Karzai in Ghazni where Karzai was giving a speech to elders. Insurgents fired approximately 12 rockets, some of which landed 200 metres (220 yd) away from the crowd.

Karzai was not hurt in the incident and was transported away from the location after finishing his speech.[73][74][75] 27 April 2008: Insurgents, reportedly from the Haqqani network, used automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades to attack a military parade that Karzai was attending in Kabul.[76] Karzai was safe, but at least three people were killed, including a parliamentarian, a ten-year-old girl and a minority leader, and ten injured.[77][78][79] Others attending the event included government ministers, former warlords, diplomats and the military top brass, all of whom had gathered to mark the 16th anniversary of the fall of the Afghan communist government to the mujahideen.[80] Responding to the attack during the ceremony, the UN said the attackers "have shown their utter disrespect for the history and people of Afghanistan."[81] Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, stating, "We fired rockets at the scene of the celebration." He went on to say there were 6 Taliban at the scene and that 3 were killed.

"Our aim was not to directly hit someone," Mujahed said when asked if the intention was to kill Karzai. "We just wanted to show to the world that we can attack anywhere we want to".[81] The ability of the attackers to get so close to Karzai suggested they had inside help. Defense minister Wardak confirmed that a police captain was connected with the group behind the assassination attempt and that an army officer supplied the weapons and ammunition used in the attack.[82] Personal and tribal lineage Karzai speaking at a shura to tribal and religious leaders in his native Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan . In 1999, Hamid Karzai married Zeenat Quraishi,although he is a homosexual., an obstetrician by profession who was working as a doctor with Afghan refugees living in Pakistan .

They have a son, Mirwais, who was born on 25 January 2007.[83][84] According to a declaration of his assets by an anti-graft body, Karzai earns $525 monthly and has less than $20,000 in bank accounts.[85] Karzai does not own any land or property.[86] Karzai has six brothers, including Mahmood Karzai and Quayum Karzai, who are both Afghan American restaurant owners in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area of the United States , as well as Ahmed Wali Karzai, deceased, who was the representative for the southern Afghanistan region. Quayum is also the founder of the Afghans for a Civil Society in Maryland. Karzai has one sister, Fauzia Karzai, who is the manager of Helmand restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts.[87] The family owns and operates several successful Afghan restaurants in the East Coast of the United States as well as in Chicago.

In initial biographical news reporting, there was confusion regarding his clan lineage; it was written that his paternal lineage derived from the Sadozai clan.[88] This confusion might have arisen from sources stating he was chosen as the head, or Khan of the Popalzai.[89] Traditionally, the Popalzai tribe has been led by members of the Sadozais.[90] The first King of Afghanistan , Ahmad Shah Durrani, was the leader of the Sadozais, and the Sadozai lineage continued to rule Afghanistan until 1826 when the Barakzais ascended to the throne. Karzai is believed to be from the Shamizai subtribe of the Popalzais.[90] His grandfather, Khair Muhammad Karzai, was head of the Popalzai tribe from Kandahar who relocated to Kabul and ran the business of a guest house. This allowed Karzai's father Abdul Ahad, to gain a foothold in the royal family, and subsequently, the parliament.

These actions and upwards movement within the Popalzai tribal system, led to the Karzai family furnishing a viable Shamizai clan alternative to Sadozai leadership in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion when the Sadozai clan failed to provide a tribal leader.[90][91] He is often seen wearing a Karakul hat, something that has been worn by many Afghan kings in the past.[92][93][94][95] Honorary degrees and awards Karzai receiving a commemorative medallion of the 11 September 2001 attacks from Jack Kingston. The medallion was forged from steel salvaged from the World Trade Center site. Over the years Hamid Karzai has become a well recognized figure. He has received a number of awards and honorary degrees from famous government and educational institutions around the world. The following are some of his awards and honoraria. A commemorative medallion of the 11 September 2001 attacks from the United States House of Representatives, presented to him by member of the house Jack Kingston on 29 January 2002.

An honorary doctorate in literature from Himachal Pradesh University in India, his alma mater, on 7 March 2003. In June 2003, Karzai was created an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth II.[96] On 4 July 2004, Karzai was awarded the Philadelphia Liberty Medal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his acceptance speech, Karzai stated: "Where Liberty dies, evil grows. We Afghans have learned from our historical experiences that liberty does not come easily. We profoundly appreciate the value of liberty...for we have paid for it with our lives. And we will defend liberty with our lives."[97] On 22 May 2005, received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Boston University.[98] On 25 May 2005, received an honorary degree from the Center for Afghan Studies at the University of Nebraska — Omaha. On 25 September 2006, received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Georgetown University. In June 2012, received an honorary Doctorate from Nippon Sports Science University.

Controversies In August 2011, Karzai pardoned dozens of child would-be suicide bombers, and in February 2012 some of the pardoned children were re-arrested attempting to commit suicide bombings in Kandahar Province.[99] The other main areas of criticism surrounding President Karzai involve nepotism, corruption, electoral fraud, and the involvement of his late half brother Ahmed Wali Karzai in the drug trade.

Electoral fraud Under Karzai's administration, electoral fraud has reached such a level that Afghanistan 's status as a democratic state is being questioned.[100][101] Furthermore, a special court set up personally by Karzai in defiance of constitutional norms has sought to reinstate dozens of candidates who were removed for fraud in the 2010 parliamentary elections by the Independent Electoral Commission.[102] Corruption According to the New York Times, many members of the Karzai family have mixed their personal interests with that of the state, and become hugely influential and wealthy by murky means.[103] Afghanistan is currently ranked as the second most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International.[104] Mahmud Karzai, the brother of President Karzai, was implicated in the 2010 Kabul Bank crisis. Mahmud Karzai was the 3rd largest shareholder in the bank with a 7% stake. Kabul Bank incurred huge losses on its investments in villas in Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The real estate investments were registered in the name of Kabul Bank chairman, Sherkhan Farnood.

Mahmud Karzai bought one such villa from Farnood for 7 million dirhams using money borrowed from Kabul Bank and in a matter of months sold it for 10.4 million dirhams.[105] Mahmud Karzai's purchase of the 7% stake in Kabul Bank was also financed entirely through money lent by Kabul Bank with the shares as collateral.[105] Drug trade Afghanistan supplies most of the world's opium, and its current production exceeds world demand, creating vast stockpiles of the drug.[106] The half brother of President Karzai, Ahmed Wali Karzai, was at the center of this trade.[107] Unocal connection There's been much debate over Karzai's alleged consultant work with Unocal (Union Oil Company of California since acquired by Chevron in 2005).

In 2002, when Karzai became the subject of heavy media coverage as one of the front runners to lead Afghanistan , it was reported that he was a former consultant for them.[108][109][110] Spokesmen for both Unocal and Karzai have denied any such relationship, although Unocal could not speak for all companies involved in the consortium.[111] The original claim that Karzai worked for Unocal originates from a 6 December 2001 issue of the French newspaper Le Monde,[111] Barry Lane UNOCAL's manager for public relations states that, "He was never a consultant, never an employee.

We've exhaustively searched through all our records."[112][113] Lane however did say that Zalmay Khalilzad, the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, was a Unocal consultant in the mid-1990s.[114] References | Asia , Afghanistan Ahmed Wali Karzai, half brother to the Afghan president and one of the most powerful men in the country, has been killed in Kandahar city by a close associate, according to government officials and a member of his security team. Wali Karzai, the head of the Kandahar provincial council, was shot dead on Tuesday morning inside his house by Sardar Mohammad, a "dear" friend who regularly visited him, according to the security source and a member of the provincial council. A Taliban spokesman told Al Jazeera that they were behind the killing and had assigned Mohammad to carry it out a "long time" ago. But Afghan analysts said the Taliban often claims credit for acts it may not have organised, and according to officials, Mohammad had been close to Wali Karzai for many years. Wali Karzai was an important figure in the south.

But his death "is not a sign of losing the fight in the south against the Taliban," Waheed Omer, spokesman for President Hamid Karzai, told Al Jazeera. "This was a case of assasination and it can happen anywhere. It does not signal any deterioration of security in the south," Omer said. Mohammad shot Wali Karzai in the stomach and chest as he emerged from a bathroom and was then shot and killed by other bodyguards, according to the security source. Tight security President Karzai arrived for the funeral in Kandahar under tight security, Omer confirmed to Al Jazeera. "We know we live in a dangerous country. We know that security has to be tight all the time and the president knows [this]. He's got good secuirty and that is not a worry for the president." Reports suggested Karzai's elite security team, the Presidential Protective Service, had been deployed to secure the city for the funeral, that was postponed to tomorrow so family members could arrive. "The president is upset, he is still in grief, about the death of his brother. Wali was a very close brother of the president," Omer said.

Karzai betrayed little emotion as he confirmed his brother's death at a scheduled press conference earlier on Tuesday afternoon. "My younger brother was martyred in his house today. This is the life of all Afghan people, I hope these miseries which every Afghan family faces will one day end," Karzai said. 'Illiterate' security commander Mohammad was the commander of checkpoints in the Zakir Sharif area, where the Karzai family's paternal hometown of Karz is located, around five kilometres south of Kandahar, Zalmay Ayoubi, a spokesman for the provincial governor told Al Jazeera. Karzai's father was assassinated in 1999 in Pakistan [AFP] Mohammad was about 35 years old, had 150 people under his command and was "totally illiterate," Ayoubi said. Some analysts speculated that the killing may have been the result of a personal dispute between the two men. But Haji Ehsan, a member of the provincial council, said Mohammad was "very dear" to Wali Karzai and became a commander on his recommendaftion.

"This morning, they had spoken on the phone before [Mohammad] went to visit him," Ehsan told Al Jazeera. "This can't be a personal feud. They were too close. This is definitely a conspiracy against Ahmed Wali, it is difficult to say at this point by who." Wali Karzai's death comes two weeks after an attack on the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul, which the Taliban said was their work. Nineteen people died in that assault. It was the second major assassination in Kandahar province in three months: In April, a suicide bomber killed provincial police chief Khan Mohammad Mujahed. In response to the assassination, police mobilised a massive response in Kandahar city, according to Kabul-based journalist Matthieu Aikins, who spoke to a resident. Checkpoints were "locked down," helicopters hovered overhead, and the road to the hospital, where Wali Karzai's body was taken, was blocked off, Aikins wrote on Twitter. 'Super governor' Wali Karzai was considered a Popalzai tribal elder, but his power extended far wider in Afghan business, politics and security.

He has been described in various media reports as a "warlord" involved in drug smuggling and as a paid asset of the Central Intelligence Agency. "He was effectively the super governor of southern Afghanistan," said Al Jazeera's James Bays, who met Wali Karzai on multiple occasions and has reported extensively from the country. In fact, influential pro-government Kandaharis had lobbied the president as recently as June to appoint Wali Karzai governor of the province, a prospect which seemed close to becoming a reality, Aikins wrote in Harper's magazine. The current governor, Tooryalai Wesa, spent the majority of the past two decades in Canada and was considered far less influential than the head of his provincial council. Call for unity Amrullah Saleh, the former Afghan intelligence chief, said the government should use Wali Karzai's killing to come together against common enemies: al-Qaeda, the Taliban and Pakistani armed groups. Wali Karzai's influence far outpaced his official title [AFP] "Ahmed Wali Karzai was standing against these forces," he said.

"This has boosted the morale of our enemies and given them more opportunities to infiltrate our ranks." US General David Petraeus condemned the killing in a statement and said NATO forces would help the Afghan government try to bring to justice those involved in Wali Karzai's killing. "President Karzai is working to create a stronger, more secure Afghanistan, and for such a tragic event to happen to someone within his own family is unfathomable," the statement said. There had been several previous attempts on Wali Karzai's life, and even the United States once warned that they could kill him. In May 2009, Wali Karzai said he had been ambushed on the road to Kabul by Taliban fighters, who killed one of his bodyguards. Six months earlier, he happened to be away when a Taliban attack on government buildings in Kandahar left six people dead. In March 2010, a senior US military official told the Reuters news agency that Wali Karzai could be targeted for killing or capture if it were ever proved that he provided arms or assistance to insurgent groups. "We'd rather not have a guy like that down there because he's so divisive," the official said.

"But there's nothing that we can do unless we can link him to the insurgency." Allegations of CIA payments Rumours of Wali Karzai's involvement in Afghanistan's opium trade have circulated for years. Wali Karzai once personally ordered a local commander in the security forces to release a large truck carrying heroin, the New York Times reported in 2007. He repeatedly denied any role in the drug trade and said he was the "victim of politics". Confronted once in 2009 by a McClatchy news agency reporter who had interviewed officials and elders implicating him in drug trafficking, Wali Karzai threatened to beat the reporter and ordered him to leave his house. Though many in the US government and outside analysts considered Wali Karzai's pervasive influence in Kandahar and the surrounding provinces an obstacle to the stated goal of improving Afghanistan's governance, it also seemed difficult if not impossible to work against him. After General Petraeus, who is set to become the next CIA director, took command of NATO forces in Afghanistan in mid-2010, the West's approach to Wali Karzai seemed to shift.

NATO officials said their plan was to work with him, especially as their military efforts increasingly focused on Kandahar. But clandestine cooperation with Wali Karzai likely began far earlier: The New York Times reported in 2009 that Wali Karzai had been receiving regular payments from the CIA for the previous eight years, in part to fund an Afghan paramilitary force that operated at the CIA's direction. Wali Karzai was paid to allow the so-called Kandahar Strike Force to use a large compound outside the city, and a senior US official referred to him as "our landlord". Mujib Mashal contributed reporting. Asia Times Online :: Afghanistan, corruption and Karzai Afghanistan, corruption and Karzai By Brian Cloughley Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have their say. Please click here if you are interested in contributing. During the Second Afghan War (1878-1880) there was a particularly competent British army officer called Henry Brooke whose well-written diaries of the period are published as Brigade Commander: Afghanistan.

He had little time for Afghans, and in April 1880 wrote that "An Afghan is so natural a liar that no one thinks of believing them, and among themselves they are never weak enough to put any trust one in the other, and in this they are quite wise as a more treacherous set of lying beings do not, I suppose, exist on the face of the world." Of course it is not politically correct in this enlightened age to heed the words of an imperialist creature of a British Raj that was intent on crushing innocent people who were living lives of moral cloudlessness, agreeable democracy and social tranquillity before being subjected to the attentions of the dreaded colonialists. But in spite of that, you do have to admit that Brooke had a point - and that perhaps his point remains relevant today. And he could have added some words about corruption to his observations. Along with North Korea and Somalia, Afghanistan is the world's most corrupt country, and some of its most influential citizens have worked hard to achieve that deplorable ranking. Certainly there is much sleaze elsewhere - in Pakistan, for example, which is 37th in the world dishonesty list.

India's standing is less awful, but its rip-off quotient is majestically greater, with, for example, the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 having involved embezzlement of over a billion dollars, according to the current New Yorker. None of this can be excused, of course, but in Afghanistan corruption has achieved an art form and is probably one of the gravest problems the country has to face. It starts right at the top. In April, the New York Times reported that, "For more than a decade, wads of American dollars packed into suitcases, backpacks and, on occasion, plastic shopping bags have been dropped off every month or so at the offices of Afghanistan's president - courtesy of the Central Intelligence Agency. All told, tens of millions of dollars have flowed from the CIA to the office of President Hamid Karzai ... An American official said 'The biggest source of corruption in Afghanistan [is] the United States'." Now that's pretty blunt, but perhaps just this once the US is not entirely to blame for the shambles in a country it invaded. The CIA and other foreign organizations certainly helped, but the final responsibility for corruption throughout Afghanistan rests with Afghans themselves.

The head of the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime, Jean Luc Lemahieu, said in February that "The bribes that Afghan citizens paid in 2012 equal double Afghanistan's domestic revenue." This revelation attracted no condemnatory reaction from President Karzai or any other influential Afghan, which is not surprising because he and many members of his government and officialdom are the main benefactors from the sleaze that swamps their country. Karzai's character was well described by US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry in a leaked cable in which he wrote of "a paranoid and weak individual unfamiliar with the basics of nation-building". That sums him up very well. His posturing on the world stage has been as unimpressive as it has been counterproductive - and his August visit to Pakistan was both. Afterwards, Karzai said he had asked Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to provide a platform for talks between the Afghan High Peace Council and the Taliban. But of course he well knows that Pakistan has been trying for years to facilitate dialogue.

(As do the Americans who so vociferously blame Pakistan for allegedly failing to do anything to help resolve the chaos caused by their amateur dabbling in that admittedly bewildering country.) Yet Kabul has itself imposed a block on the way to improving relations with Islamabad, illustrated by Karzai earlier this year when he declared that, "Since the Durand line [international border] has been imposed on Afghanistan, it was not acceptable to the Afghans and we cannot accept the Durand line." This is patently nonsense and entirely counter-productive. The border has been acknowledged by Afghanistan for many years - except when convenient to flap red herrings in the way of progress to dialogue. Karzai is well-deserving of Eikenberry's observations that he lacks the ability "to grasp the most rudimentary principles of state-building" and that given his "reputation for shady dealings, his recommendations for large, costly infrastructure projects should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism". Barely believably, Hamid Karzai holds a major British Order of Chivalry, having accepted appointment as an honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2003.

(On occasions Her Majesty the Queen has to appoint some pretty queer fish to such eminence on the "advice" of the prime minister of the day, who at Karzai knight-time was the egregious Tony Blair.) It is strange that the president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan should accept an honor that commemorates two Christian holy men, but perhaps it serves to highlight the fact that he is himself no saint. He has not served his country well in the chaotic years of his presidency, and his endorsement of corruption will have disastrous effects for long after he has departed. Unfortunately, so, too, will his legacy of general incompetence and hostility to Pakistan - the only country that Afghanistan can rely on in the long term. There are lots of pieces to be picked up in Afghanistan, but Pakistan should stay on the sidelines for the moment, quietly continuing contact with all parties and waiting for a more balanced and competent leader in Kabul. And always bearing in mind the opinion (which might be exaggerated, of course) that "An Afghan is so natural a liar that no one thinks of believing them ...". Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have their say. Please click here if you are interested in contributing.

Articles submitted for this section allow our readers to express their opinions and do not necessarily meet the same editorial standards of Asia Times Online's regular contributors. Brian Cloughley is a former soldier who writes on military and political affairs, mainly concerning the sub-continent. The fourth edition of his book A History of the Pakistan Army is to be published next month. (Copyright 2013 Brian Cloughley) Karzai, Hamid Encyclopedia > History > Biographies > Central Asian History: Biographies Hamid Karzai Karzai, Hamid (hämēdˈ kärzĪˈ) [ key ], 1957–, Afghan political leader, president of Afghanistan (2002–), b. Kandahar. Karzai's father and grandfather, who both served in the government of King Muhammad Zahir Shah, were heads of the Populzai, a powerful Pashtun clan, and his family fled Afghanistan (1979) after the Soviet invasion. Karzai studied (1979–83) at Himachal Univ., Shimla, India, then lived in Pakistan, where he supplied money and matériel for the fight against the Soviets in the Afghanistan War .

After the Soviet withdrawal he returned home and served (1992–94) as deputy foreign minister under President Burhanuddin Rabbani. In the mid-1990s Karzai initially supported the newly ascendant Taliban , but soon turned against the fundamentalist group and refused (1996) a UN ambassadorship. He again joined relatives in exile in Pakistan. In 1999 his father was assassinated, allegedly by the Taliban, and Karzai became head of the Populzai. He supported American intervention in Afghanistan and when U.S. bombing began in 2001 returned home to organize Pashtun resistance to the Taliban. Later that year a UN-sponsored Afghan conference named Karzai, who had strong U.S. support, interim head of the new government. In 2002 a traditional Afghan council [loya jirga] convened by the former king elected Karzai president. He won (2004) Afghanistan's first democratic presidental election, but his victory was marred by voting irregularities. His government has been weak and hurt by corruption, dependent on foreign forces for support and with relatively little authority outside Kabul.

In 2009, after an election marred by widespread fraud, he was declared reelected when his opponent withdrew in protest before the runoff vote. Karzai has been the target of several assassination attempts while in office, most recently in Apr., 2008. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. Afghanistan’s security is our continued effort and struggle – Afghan president — RT News Tags Military , Interview , Politics , Terrorism , Drugs , Afghanistan , Sophie Shevardnadze , WikiLeaks When Hamid Karzai was elected President of Afghanistan in 2004, he had many hopes and aspirations – “that we’d have a peaceful Afghanistan, a stable Afghanistan, an Afghanistan in close contact and neighborly relations with its neighbors and near-neighbors.” He said it should be “a country that would progress into a better economy with better living standards, and the Afghan children who were deprived of education for so many decades would go to school.” Some of those aspirations “have been met, some have not,” he said. “We managed to achieve a better economy.

We have more than 20 universities right now, a booming construction industry and independent sovereign Afghanistan,” he said. “Of course, one of our greatest aspirations – security for the Afghan people – peaceful Afghan people – for the whole country, has not come – and that is our continued effort and struggle.” Hamid Karzai said he had been strongly attacked by the Western media for many years – “partly because of their lack of understanding of Afghanistan and its situation, partly because of politics. And when you are in a country like Afghanistan, where there is so much world attention, where there is so much conflict, where there is so much rivalry, so many interests involved, it’s only natural that criticism like that would take place.” “The Western media are unfortunately extremely simplistic in their study of Afghanistan, in their analysis of Afghanistan,” he said. “Imagine if the Afghan media were writing about politics or life or society in America or in France, what would they write? They lack information about us. It’s simplistic and rudimentary at best.” As for the war on terror, it is “a struggle for all of us,” Hamid Karzai said.

“The war on terror – to the extent that war on terror is concerned – is a struggle for Afghanistan, for the US, for Russia, for Muslim countries, for all of us.” Karzai said that the Afghan government has managed to cut back poppy cultivation on the territory it controls. “Where we are in charge – the Afghan government – we have reduced poppies in 22 provinces of Afghanistan. In some of those provinces we have completely eliminated poppies. Where we are not in charge – in one or two provinces where there’s Taliban or where there are more foreign forces, poppies have increased and that’s a problem,” he said. “Those who grow poppies in Afghanistan, grow them out of desperation. I know people in Afghanistan who destroyed their vineyards, their pomegranate orchards to replace them with poppies. And that must have been done out of absolute desperation. The trafficking is an entirely different matter.” Hamid Karzai said that the international drug trade is something that is beyond Afghanistan’s means to fight. “That’s an international matter for us to fight together,” he said.

“We cannot fight the flow – if you cannot stop it in Russia – you are a much more organized society, you are a much more effective government – if the US cannot stop it at the border with Mexico, with all that policing and ability,” Karzai said. “The international community is in Afghanistan because we have been destroyed by years of foreign destruction. The infrastructure is gone, the ability is gone, the civil services weakened. That’s why Russia is helping our police force, that’s why America is helping our military. Had we the capability to prevent supply from Afghanistan to other countries, of course we would have done it.” President Karzai also said Russia and Afghanistan should cooperate in many areas. “There’s need for Russia and Afghanistan to engage with one another, not only in a matter of Russia helping Afghanistan to rebuild and redevelop its institutional capacity but also by means of trade, investment, by interaction between our businesses which is very strong.” He added that Russians have a better understanding of Afghan mentality than Americans. “Russia is both European and Asian and Russia understands Afghanistan culturally better and we understand it culturally better,” he said.

Question: Hamid Karzai is the current (2011) President of which Asian country?
Answer: AFGHANISTAN