Former King Endorses Karzai in Loya Jirga Election

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 11, 2002

Former King Endorses Karzai in Loya Jirga Election

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Afghan former king Mohammad Zahir Shah announced here late Monday that he would give his full support to interim leader Hamid Karzai in his candidacy for the leader of the transitional government and would not seek any post in the transitional government.

The former king made the statement at a joint press conference with Karzai in his residence after their urgent meeting.

"As I have always mentioned, I have no intention of restoring the monarchy, and I will not be a candidate to any position in the Emergency Loya Jirga. My sole aim is to serve the suffering people of Afghanistan," Shah said in a statement read out by Nasir Zia, who works in the former king's office.

"I appreciate the service by Hamid Karzai, chairmen of the Interim Administration, and fully support his candidacy for the head of the transitional administration."

Karzai expressed his gratitude for the former king's support and promised his loyalty to the former king in the future.

"I would like to very humbly thank his Majesty, the former kingof Afghanistan, who is the father of this nation, was the father of this nation and continue to be the father of this nation in the highest position of respect that one can imagine in a nation," said Karzai.

The former king's statement was issued as a response to wide speculations about the former king's position in the Loya Jirga.

Afghanistan Liberty Radi, said on Monday that although no official reason for the postponement was offered, some say that the meeting was postponed because the previous Northern Alliance leaders and commanders were trying to make sure that former king Mohammad Zahir Shah would not take any role in the transitional government.

Padshah Khan Zadran, who was appointed by Interim leader Hamid Karzai as governor of the eastern Paktia province but was then dismissed in February, on Saturday expressed his support to the former king, who was ousted in a coup in 1973 and lived in Rome for almost 30 years until returning home in April.

"I see the king as the suitable person. The king can be the real leader of the people," said Padshah Khan.

He also warned that conflicts could break out if the former king could not be elected leader.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Afghan Loya Jirga Postponed for Several Hours

Where Loya Jirga Leads To?

China Getting Better Through Matches ( 2 Messages)

China Hopes Japan Will Keep Commitment to Non-nuclear Principles ( 45 Messages)

China's Economy will be World's Second-largest by 2030: Report ( 31 Messages)

Taiwan Media Reveals US Submarine Sale to Taiwan ( 4 Messages)

US Taiwan Acts Jeopardize Sino-US Ties: Analysis ( 107 Messages)