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Karzai fails to appear on first televised presidential debate in Afghanistan |
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Tuesday, 28 July 2009 |
Afghanistan's first televised presidential debate took place last night, but it was marred by the glaring ab-sence of the central figure in the race: Hamid Karzai, the incumbent president.
Mr Karzai, who is seeking re-election on August 20 after seven years in power, declined to participate in the event, citing a variety of reasons. His office issued a statement saying he had been notified too late, believed the host channel was biased against him and wanted more of the 41 candidates to participate.
As a result, Mr Karzai's two main challengers - Abdullah Abdullah, the former foreign minister, and Ashraf Ghani, former finance minister - were left without a target as they stood behind twin podiums on a brightly lit US-style debate set, while a third lectern stood pointedly empty between them.
The men, both polished and experienced public figures, offered few big differences during two hours of questions on security, the economy and foreign policy. Mr Ghani offered more detailed proposals to stimulate the economy and Mr Abdullah proposed changing the current presidential system to a parliamentary form of government.
But the debate, broadcast by the private Tolo network in both national languages on radio as well as TV, marked a historic moment for Afghanistan. A country of impoverished villages, deep Muslim faith and entrenched tribal traditions, it is just beginning to emerge from decades of war and repression to test the waters of an unfamiliar, modern democracy - including the role of the independent electronic media.
Moreover, the event offered its audience an unprecedented look at two important public figures and potential national leaders with sharply contrasting styles. Mr Karzai is still expected to emerge with the most support in the first round of voting, but analysts have predicted that the challenge from Mr Abdullah and Mr Ghani could force a second round.
Mr Abdullah, wearing a dark blue suit and tie, was measured and diplomatic. He largely refrained from criticising Mr Karzai and tended to speak in platitudes about the need for peace and reconciliation, government responsiveness and popular power. He also echoed widespread public concern about civilian casualties and home searches by foreign troops fighting Taliban insurgents. "People feel alienated from the central government, and our enemies take advantage of that," Mr Abdullah said. Because of abuses and bombings by US and Nato forces, he added, "people have started to hate the foreign troops. The Afghan people should not be the victims of this fight."
Mr Ghani, clad in a traditional white cape and tunic, was acerbic and provocative. Despite the host's request for fairness to the absent president, Mr Ghani attacked Mr Karzai's administration at every turn, decrying governors and mayors as channels for bribery and the national police as badly organised.
"The ministry of the interior doesn't know even how many police there are in Kabul," he said. "Dear people, ask yourselves if your lives have gotten any better in the past eight years. If the current government continues, the whole country will be plunged into crisis."
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