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Transparent Elections Key to Afghanistan’s Stability: Abdullah

CEO Abdullah Abdullah has said that timely and fair  elections in Afghanistan would have a significant impact on the peace and security in the country. 

Abdullah, who is in Washington, also called for more solid and comprehensive efforts to be made to ensure that the next elections are held on time and in a transparent way. 

The government and the independent election commission is trying to regain public trust in elections by holding transparent and well organized polls, Abdullah said in a speech at the Special Operations Policy Forum in Washington.

“The electoral reform process started unfortunately a bit late,” he said. 

However he added that the election law was now in place.

“Then there is the independent election commission of Afghanistan and the independent elections complaints commission which are in place based on the law. These days there are serious discussions among the commissions for reform and bringing changes to  gain the confidence of the public as well as the political forces,” he said adding that this would lead to a new energy in order to help bring about parliamentary elections in 2018 and presidential elections in 2019.  

Abdullah also met with US National Security Advisor HR McMaster and the two officials held  discussions on mentoring, training and equipping the Afghan Forces and the war on terrorism. 

“It is a long-awaited strategy, it is conditions-based, that is an important element. The regional aspect of it has more clarity than any other time, the fact that sanctuaries (in Pakistan) have been indented,” said Abdullah.

At the meeting, McMaster reaffirmed that the US will continue supporting Afghanistan in uprooting terrorism and extremism in the region.

Abdullah meanwhile also met with US Defense Secretary James Mattis. 

At the meeting, Abdullah and Mattis exchanged views on the US’s new war strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia including counter insurgency, cutting off of state support of terrorism, safe havens and financial support and the issue of state sponsorship of terrorism. 

Abdullah said that Afghanistan has made and continues to make enormous progress. 

“We have come long way from darkness and long way for light. We thank the world, especially the United States for their contribution to our journey,” said Abdullah. 

He said that the war against terrorism will continue, but pledged that the door for peace talks will always remain open. 

“The threat is not just limited to our people or the American people but it is also for the people of the region, to create conditions, to prevent Taliban from not only advancing, but also broader pressure so those of them which will be willing to see an opportunity for giving up violence and joining the peace process, the door should remain open for them and this has been our message, but the message of reconciliation is not in any way a contradiction to our revolve to continue to fight against terrorism,”  he said.

Meanwhile, the Afghan ambassador to the United States said that the joint struggle against terrorism will finally lead to the establishment of sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan.

Transparent Elections Key to Afghanistan’s Stability: Abdullah

Addressing a forum in Washington the CEO said the government and election commissions are trying hard to regain the public’s trust in elections. 

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CEO Abdullah Abdullah has said that timely and fair  elections in Afghanistan would have a significant impact on the peace and security in the country. 

Abdullah, who is in Washington, also called for more solid and comprehensive efforts to be made to ensure that the next elections are held on time and in a transparent way. 

The government and the independent election commission is trying to regain public trust in elections by holding transparent and well organized polls, Abdullah said in a speech at the Special Operations Policy Forum in Washington.

“The electoral reform process started unfortunately a bit late,” he said. 

However he added that the election law was now in place.

“Then there is the independent election commission of Afghanistan and the independent elections complaints commission which are in place based on the law. These days there are serious discussions among the commissions for reform and bringing changes to  gain the confidence of the public as well as the political forces,” he said adding that this would lead to a new energy in order to help bring about parliamentary elections in 2018 and presidential elections in 2019.  

Abdullah also met with US National Security Advisor HR McMaster and the two officials held  discussions on mentoring, training and equipping the Afghan Forces and the war on terrorism. 

“It is a long-awaited strategy, it is conditions-based, that is an important element. The regional aspect of it has more clarity than any other time, the fact that sanctuaries (in Pakistan) have been indented,” said Abdullah.

At the meeting, McMaster reaffirmed that the US will continue supporting Afghanistan in uprooting terrorism and extremism in the region.

Abdullah meanwhile also met with US Defense Secretary James Mattis. 

At the meeting, Abdullah and Mattis exchanged views on the US’s new war strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia including counter insurgency, cutting off of state support of terrorism, safe havens and financial support and the issue of state sponsorship of terrorism. 

Abdullah said that Afghanistan has made and continues to make enormous progress. 

“We have come long way from darkness and long way for light. We thank the world, especially the United States for their contribution to our journey,” said Abdullah. 

He said that the war against terrorism will continue, but pledged that the door for peace talks will always remain open. 

“The threat is not just limited to our people or the American people but it is also for the people of the region, to create conditions, to prevent Taliban from not only advancing, but also broader pressure so those of them which will be willing to see an opportunity for giving up violence and joining the peace process, the door should remain open for them and this has been our message, but the message of reconciliation is not in any way a contradiction to our revolve to continue to fight against terrorism,”  he said.

Meanwhile, the Afghan ambassador to the United States said that the joint struggle against terrorism will finally lead to the establishment of sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan.

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