Word: afghanistans
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...pictures of the U.S. Marines new offensive in Afghanistan...
...drawn-out election drama mired in accusations of fraud and corruption. Dressed in his trademark violet- and green-striped cloak and karakul hat, Karzai placed his right hand on the Koran and swore to the attending chief of the Supreme Court that he would uphold the constitution of Afghanistan and lead the country into peace and stability. One can only hope he keeps that promise...
...vast swaths of butter-yellow silk looped into view-blocking turbans, while their southern cousins opted for the more somber black and gray. Northerners were identified by their flat-topped woolen pakols; the urban élites by their peaked karakul caps. They were outdone only by the portraits of Afghanistan's former rulers that lined the walls of the reception hall - some of those wore helmets. The first few rows were occupied by suited foreign dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, special envoy Richard Holbrooke, the Aga Khan and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, rounding out the guest...
After swearing in his two Vice Presidents, Karzai launched into a lengthy speech promising a renewed commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan. Sidestepping the issue of fraud that had marred the election, he instead praised the courageous Afghans who braved Taliban threats to vote and promised to strengthen democracy. By the end of his five-year term, Afghan security forces would be "capable of taking the lead in ensuring security and stability across the country," he said. Corruption and bribery, he announced, "constitute a very dangerous problem," one that he would combat through legal reform and the strengthening...
...voiced in a near monotone. He paused only to gently chastise - in English - the late arrival of a dignitary from the United Arab Emirates who then slunk to his chair in shame. Few in the audience were surprised by his pronouncements. They were, said Sima Samar, head of Afghanistan's human-rights commission, to be expected. "But a speech is not enough. We need action," Samar said. "We need to see if his promised reforms are implemented on the ground...