Karzai sworn in for second term; Gates: US might withhold aid to Afghanistan if it fails to curb corruption; German Defence Minister: India should be part of discussions on Afghanistan’s future;
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  • Hamid Karzai was sworn in as the president of Afghanistan for the second consecutive term on November 16. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, EAM S.M. Krishna were among dignitaries who attended the ceremony at the presidential palace in Kabul. In his inaugural address, Karzai urged reconciliation among various groups, vowed to tackle corruption and pledged to ensure greater security.1

    US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, addressing a press conference along with Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay on November 20 stated that the US will hold the Afghan government accountable in the utilization of financial resources that it provides. He added that aid to the country could be held back if Kabul fails to tackle corruption.2

    German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor Zu Guttenberg speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington pointed out the need to engage India in the deliberations on Afghanistan’s future.3

    The annual report of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), released on November 19, pointed out that Afghanistan is the most dangerous place in the world for a child to be born, especially so for girls. The country had the highest infant mortality rate in the world – at 257 deaths per 1,000 live births, and 70 percent of the population lacked access to clean water.4

    NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, at a meeting of NATO parliamentary assembly in Edinburgh on November 17 expressed confidence that the number of NATO troops fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan could be increased. The NATO Chief’s comments came even as the Obama administration was still contemplating on sending additional troops as requested by Gen. McChrystal.5 British Prime Minster Gordon Brown meanwhile expressed his government’s commitment to provide the necessary men and materiel for the war in Afghanistan. Britain has 9,000 troops deployed in the country.6

    In other developments, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki visiting New Delhi stated that Iran was in favour of a regional solution to the situation in Afghanistan. Mottaki pointed out that a regional approach had helped solve problems in Lebanon and argued that a similar approach could work in Afghanistan too.7

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