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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Karzai prepares for inauguration | Karzai prepares for inauguration |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Afghanistan is preparing to swear in Hamid Karzai for a second elected term as the country's president. | |
| Western officials are hoping Mr Karzai will use his inauguration speech to make commitments to reform. | Western officials are hoping Mr Karzai will use his inauguration speech to make commitments to reform. |
| Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's inauguration ceremony, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the country was at a "critical moment". | Speaking in Kabul on the eve of Thursday's inauguration ceremony, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the country was at a "critical moment". |
| Mr Karzai has come under growing pressure from Western officials to tackle corruption. | Mr Karzai has come under growing pressure from Western officials to tackle corruption. |
| The inauguration will mark the end of an election process mired in fraud. | |
| Mrs Clinton said there was a "window of opportunity" for Mr Karzai to demonstrate he was going to improve Afghans' lives. | Mrs Clinton said there was a "window of opportunity" for Mr Karzai to demonstrate he was going to improve Afghans' lives. |
| 'Strong partner' | 'Strong partner' |
| The US Secretary of State arrived in Kabul amid heavy security ahead of the ceremony. | The US Secretary of State arrived in Kabul amid heavy security ahead of the ceremony. |
| We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan Hillary Clinton West seeks new beginnings Corruption a political obstacle Afghans 'blame poverty for war' Clinton ready to talk tough | |
| "We stand at a critical moment on the eve of the inauguration of President Karzai's second term," Mrs Clinton told staff at the US embassy. | "We stand at a critical moment on the eve of the inauguration of President Karzai's second term," Mrs Clinton told staff at the US embassy. |
| "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." | |
| Mrs Clinton will be joined by dignitaries from about 40 countries, including Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, for the ceremony. | |
| ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul | ANALYSIS Martin PatienceBBC News, Kabul |
| Western leaders are backing the Afghan leader. They know they have little choice - and need to work closely with the Afghan government otherwise the situation will only get worse. | Western leaders are backing the Afghan leader. They know they have little choice - and need to work closely with the Afghan government otherwise the situation will only get worse. |
| But with a faltering mission in Afghanistan - and their troops dying in the field - those leaders are getting tough. They want President Karzai to tackle rampant corruption within his government - something he has promised to do. | But with a faltering mission in Afghanistan - and their troops dying in the field - those leaders are getting tough. They want President Karzai to tackle rampant corruption within his government - something he has promised to do. |
| And all of this comes as President Obama deliberates on whether to send more troops to the country where the security situation is worsening. | And all of this comes as President Obama deliberates on whether to send more troops to the country where the security situation is worsening. |
| There are concerns within his administration that more troops may make little difference unless the Afghan government increases its authority across the country. | |
| Kabul's streets were almost empty on Thursday as security forces set up numerous roadblocks. | |
| Associated Press news agency quoted an Afghan official who had seen Mr Karzai's draft speech as saying the president would again call for aid to be sent direct to his government and not funnelled through international organisations. | |
| The president was also expected to call for militants to lay down their arms and co-operate with an Afghan security force that could lead to the departure of foreign troops from the country. | |
| 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. |
| She was expected to make those points when she had dinner with Mr Karzai on Wednesday evening, our correspondent says. | She was expected to make those points when she had dinner with Mr Karzai on Wednesday evening, our correspondent says. |
| 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 |