BBC Monitoring quotes from Afghan press for 13 Dec 04.
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The following is a selection of quotes from editorials published in 13 Dec 04 editions of Dari- and Pashto-language Afghan newspapers: New cabinet Anis (State-run daily): “Our people are impatiently waiting for the announcement of the new cabinet. They hope the new cabinet members will be honest, patriotic, responsible and professional people, who will not dodge accountability for their activities. The people are demanding that those who have plundered the public treasury and squandered funds donated for Afghanistan’s reconstruction not be included in the new cabinet.” (13 Dec) Eqtedar-e Melli (Independent weekly): “Our people expect the president to appoint cabinet members on the basis of professionalism and a system of meritocracy rather than political compromises.” (11 Dec) Terrorism Hewad (State-run daily): “The international media and informed sources in Pakistan have reported that the leader of the Jaysh al-Moslemin terrorist network, Sayd Akbar Agha, has been arrested in the Pakistani town of Karachi\… The arrest of Sayd Akbar Agha is an alarming signal for other members of his terrorist group that they should stop their terrorist activities and adopt a peaceful life; otherwise, they will face dire consequences\… The arrest has yet again demonstrated the fact that many terrorist leaders and enemies of peace, security and stability have their base in various regions of Pakistan. We praise the recent measure taken by our neighbouring country and consider it a starting point for the arrest of other terrorist leaders.” (13 Dec) Drugs Erada (Independent daily): “Based on the articles of the constitution and in line with the demands of the international community, President Hamed Karzai has issued a decree and assigned a commission with the task of fighting the cultivation, production and trafficking of drugs in all provinces. Anti-drugs campaigns are being carried out in many regions to destroy poppy crops\… To eradicate the cultivation and production of drugs, the government had better improve the socio-economic condition of Afghanistan’s farmers\… Further, to avoid the misuse of millions of dollars given in assistance by the international community for the eradication of drugs in Afghanistan, the funds must not be put at the disposal of powerful authorities.” (13 Dec) Panjara (Independent weekly): “\…The root of the problem of drug cultivation and trafficking lies within the government apparatus. Certain government officials are involved in this trade. The bold statements of Hamed Karzai and [US Ambassador to Afghanistan] Zalmay Khalilzad on the eradication of drugs [at the president’s inauguration] indicate that Karzai, given the international pressure he is under, has to make every possible effort to combat drugs with the help of the international community. If Karzai does not take tough measures to fight drugs, this problem will increase even more and the consequences will be dire.” (11 Dec) Corruption Seerat (Independent weekly): “Now that people have voted for Hamed Karzai, he should primarily carry out administrative reform within government departments and curb all forms of corruption.” (12 Dec) |