This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8367293.stm
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 16 | Version 17 |
|---|---|
| Karzai sworn in as Afghan leader | Karzai sworn in as Afghan leader |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second elected term as Afghan president following an election mired in fraud. | Hamid Karzai has been sworn in for a second elected term as Afghan president following an election mired in fraud. |
| In his inauguration speech, Mr Karzai addressed the key question of corruption, saying his ministers had be "competent and just". | In his inauguration speech, Mr Karzai addressed the key question of corruption, saying his ministers had be "competent and just". |
| Mr Karzai said that within five years he hoped Afghan security forces would take the lead and the role for foreign troops would be reduced. | Mr Karzai said that within five years he hoped Afghan security forces would take the lead and the role for foreign troops would be reduced. |
| He also invited his defeated rivals to join him in working for peace. | He also invited his defeated rivals to join him in working for peace. |
| 'Strong partner' | 'Strong partner' |
| Kabul's streets were almost empty on Thursday as security forces set up numerous roadblocks ahead of the ceremony. | Kabul's streets were almost empty on Thursday as security forces set up numerous roadblocks ahead of the ceremony. |
| The international airport was closed, a holiday was called and people were advised to stay indoors as part of the security lockdown. | The international airport was closed, a holiday was called and people were advised to stay indoors as part of the security lockdown. |
| The Afghan government is determined to fight the trafficking and cultivation of drugs. Government officials found to be involved in drugs will be fired Hamid Karzai West seeks new beginnings Corruption a political obstacle Afghans 'blame poverty for war' Clinton ready to talk tough | The Afghan government is determined to fight the trafficking and cultivation of drugs. Government officials found to be involved in drugs will be fired Hamid Karzai West seeks new beginnings Corruption a political obstacle Afghans 'blame poverty for war' Clinton ready to talk tough |
| Dignitaries from about 40 countries were attending the ceremony, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. | Dignitaries from about 40 countries were attending the ceremony, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. |
| In his speech, Mr Karzai addressed corruption, saying that good governance came from good management and that he would take care to ensure his ministers were "competent and just". | In his speech, Mr Karzai addressed corruption, saying that good governance came from good management and that he would take care to ensure his ministers were "competent and just". |
| He said corruption was a "dangerous problem", adding: "We will soon organise a conference in Kabul to organise new and effective ways to combat this problem." | He said corruption was a "dangerous problem", adding: "We will soon organise a conference in Kabul to organise new and effective ways to combat this problem." |
| He added: "We have to learn from our mistakes and shortcomings of the last eight years." | He added: "We have to learn from our mistakes and shortcomings of the last eight years." |
| Mr Karzai also invited his main defeated rival Abdullah Abdullah to work with him "for the prosperity of Afghanistan". | Mr Karzai also invited his main defeated rival Abdullah Abdullah to work with him "for the prosperity of Afghanistan". |
| Mr Karzai called for a loya jirga - or grand assembly - to help bring peace. | Mr Karzai called for a loya jirga - or grand assembly - to help bring peace. |
| ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul | ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul |
| Karzai's speech contained all the key phrases: corruption, national reconciliation and unity, and security. | Karzai's speech contained all the key phrases: corruption, national reconciliation and unity, and security. |
| The international community has demanded the Afghan leader do more to tackle rampant corruption. Mr Karzai said he would host a conference on the issue in the coming months. He promised to take a tougher line and sack officials found to be corrupt. There would be close scrutiny of the individuals he appoints to his cabinet. | |
| But perhaps most significant was his call for Afghan security forces to take over control in five years. The US and other allies want Afghans to take the lead (as do the Afghans.) While the Afghan army is improving, some experts say it will need continued support for decades to come in areas where the insurgency is at its strongest. | |
| But the intention is there - and that will be important in Washington and European capitals. The allies need to tell increasingly sceptical publics this is not a war without end. | |
| He said the strength of Afghan security forces had to be bolstered and the role of international forces reduced. | He said the strength of Afghan security forces had to be bolstered and the role of international forces reduced. |
| Mr Karzai also said he would step up the battle against the production and trafficking of drugs. | Mr Karzai also said he would step up the battle against the production and trafficking of drugs. |
| Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's ceremony, Mrs Clinton said that this was a "critical moment". | Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's ceremony, Mrs Clinton said that this was a "critical moment". |
| "There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai and his government to make a compact with the people of Afghanistan to demonstrate clearly that they're going to have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people," she said. | "There is now a clear window of opportunity for President Karzai and his government to make a compact with the people of Afghanistan to demonstrate clearly that they're going to have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people," she said. |
| "We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan - and I always say both. Because it's not either or, it has to be both." | "We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan - and I always say both. Because it's not either or, it has to be both." |
| The BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Kabul that for Washington, Mrs Clinton's presence at the inauguration is a qualified endorsement of Mr Karzai. | The BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Kabul that for Washington, Mrs Clinton's presence at the inauguration is a qualified endorsement of Mr Karzai. |
| Both US President Barack Obama and Mrs Clinton have made very public statements about the need to fight corruption, and Mrs Clinton has also warned that civilian aid will not continue to flow to Afghanistan unless the issue is addressed. | Both US President Barack Obama and Mrs Clinton have made very public statements about the need to fight corruption, and Mrs Clinton has also warned that civilian aid will not continue to flow to Afghanistan unless the issue is addressed. |
| The Obama administration is currently debating sending more troops to Afghanistan, with the president saying he is "very close" to a decision. | The Obama administration is currently debating sending more troops to Afghanistan, with the president saying he is "very close" to a decision. |
| Mr Karzai was declared Afghan president after a second round run-off was called off when his sole remaining challenger pulled out, saying the vote could not be free and fair. | Mr Karzai was declared Afghan president after a second round run-off was called off when his sole remaining challenger pulled out, saying the vote could not be free and fair. |
| Widespread fraud in the 20 August first round led to Mr Karzai being stripped of the outright win he appeared to have secured. | Widespread fraud in the 20 August first round led to Mr Karzai being stripped of the outright win he appeared to have secured. |
| Meanwhile, a survey from British aid agency Oxfam has said poverty and unemployment are overwhelmingly seen as the main reasons behind conflict in Afghanistan. | Meanwhile, a survey from British aid agency Oxfam has said poverty and unemployment are overwhelmingly seen as the main reasons behind conflict in Afghanistan. |
| Government weakness and corruption were the next most commonly cited reasons, ahead of Taliban violence. | Government weakness and corruption were the next most commonly cited reasons, ahead of Taliban violence. |
| Are you in Afghanistan? How are you feeling on the day of President Karzai's inauguration? Send us your comments. | Are you in Afghanistan? How are you feeling on the day of President Karzai's inauguration? Send us your comments. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |