Security tight for Karzai's inauguration as president
Afghan and international forces laid a security ring around Kabul today as dignitaries travelled from around the world for the inauguration of Hamid Karzai as Afghanistan’s first popularly-elected president.
In their biggest operation since the October election, which Karzai won in a landslide, police and troops cordoned off the route from the city’s battle-scarred airport to the presidential palace, where the US-backed leader is to be sworn in tomorrow.
Trucks and cars with licence plates from beyond Kabul were turned away at the city limits. Nato armoured vehicles mounted extra patrols, and American helicopters scoured the mountains that encircle the capital.
“We are very aware that this is yet another opportunity for insurgent activity to take place while the international community’s eyes are again focused on Afghanistan,” said Nato spokesman Lt. Cdr. Ken MacKillop.
Karzai’s installation will crown a three-year drive to stabilise Afghanistan since a US bombing campaign drove out the former ruling Taliban for harbouring al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
Insurgents continue to harass US and Afghan forces across the south and east. American commanders say they expect to keep their force strength at about 18,000 at least until after parliamentary elections slated for the spring.
But Karzai has said the country’s booming drug economy, which accounts for an estimated one-third of national income, is now a bigger threat, and will be the top priority of his fresh five-year term.
Karzai is to unveil within days a new Cabinet, which he has promised will be more effective than the uneasy coalition of anti-Taliban leaders who critics say did little to rebuild destroyed ministries or prevent corruption.
After rebels failed to make good on a threat to seriously disrupt the October 9 vote, and American and Afghan officials offered many an amnesty, there is even speculation that Taliban-linked figures may resurface in the new government.
However, officials remain on guard against what US commanders describe as a “strategic surprise” in the shape of a spectacular attack by militant die-hards or al Qaida cells on tomorrow’s ceremony.
Kabul has seen four deadly suicide attacks this year.
Nerves will be particularly taut because of the expected presence of an American delegation led by Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld among about 150 foreign guests, though few nations appear to be sending such high-ranking representatives.
