Karzai Sworn in for Second Term as Afghan President

By VOA News 19 November 2009

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second five-year term following his disputed victory in fraud-marred presidential elections.

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai (L) takes the presidential oath besides Afghanistan's Chief Justice Abdul Salam Azimi during his inauguration at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, 19 Nov 2009

The inauguration was held Thursday at the presidential palace in the capital Kabul.

Addressing hundreds of foreign dignitaries and Afghan leaders at the ceremony, President Karzai vowed to tackle government corruption, calling it a "dangerous enemy of the state."

Mr. Karzai has faced intense Western pressure to fight corruption and improve government accountability. He promised to select "competent," "expert" ministers and vowed to take action against those who are stepping over the country's laws and constitution.

President Karzai said another priority for his government will be to transfer the leading role for security from international forces to the Afghan army. Mr. Karzai said he hopes Afghan forces will lead all security operations within the next five years.

He said he believes the "problem of international terrorism" in Afghanistan will be overcome.

President Karzai also pledged to combat the problem of drug trafficking in Afghanistan, which produces about 90 percent of the world's opium - the key ingredient in heroin. The Afghan leader called on the international community to help Afghanistan tackle the traffickers and those who cultivate poppies.

He said he also wants to secure prosperity for his country and will do his best to secure its access to the international market.

President Karzai concluded his speech by reaching out to his rivals in the disputed presidential election. He said he invites all candidates to partner with him to help govern the country and apologized if anyone was upset by him or his administration. He said he is sorry if he has not fulfilled all that he had promised.

Mr. Karzai won the election by default after his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew from a runoff, saying it was impossible for the vote to be fair.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the start of Mr. Karzai's new five-year term represents a "window of opportunity" for Afghan leaders to make a "new compact" with their people.