Hamid Karzai حامد کرزي
Karzai in 2006
President of Afghanistan
Incumbent
Assumed office  22 December 2001 Acting until 7 December 2004
Vice President	Ahmad Zia Massoud Karim Khalili
Preceded by	Burhanuddin Rabbani
Born	24 December 1957 (1957-12-24) (age 50) Kandahar, Afghanistan
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Zeenat Karzai
Religion	Sunni Muslim

Hamid Karzai (Pashto: حامد کرزي) (b. Afghanistan has only intermittently been a Republic - between 1973-1992 and from 2001 onwards - at other times being governed by a variety of kings Emirs Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Ahmad Zia Massoud (Born May 1, 1956) is the current first Vice President of Afghanistan in the administration of President Hamid Karzai Abdul Karim Khalili is the current second Vice President of Afghanistan in the administration of President Hamid Karzai. Burhanuddin Rabbani ( - Burhânuddîn Rabbânî) (born 1940 an ethnic Tajik, is a former President of Afghanistan. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) For the 2001 film see Kandahar (film; for the Kandahar meteorite of 1959 see Meteorite falls; for the places in Azerbaijan see Cəndəhar and Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, In Politics, an independent is a Politician who is not Affiliated with any Political party. Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic Pashto ( Naskh: پښتو‎ pəʂ'to also rendered as Pakhto, Pushto, Pukhto, Pashtu, Pushtu, also known as 24 December 1957) is the current President of Afghanistan, since December 7, 2004. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) Afghanistan has only intermittently been a Republic - between 1973-1992 and from 2001 onwards - at other times being governed by a variety of kings Emirs Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " He became a prominent political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately From December 2001, Hamid Karzai had been the Chairman of the Transitional Administration followed by the Interim President from 2002 until he won the 2004 Presidential election of Afghanistan. An election to the office of President of Afghanistan was held on October 9 2004 Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Karzai is known for his trademark Karakul hat. A Qaraqul ( Karacul, QaraQul) hat (قراقلی is a hat made from the fur of the Qaraqul breed of sheep. ^[1][2][3][4]

Early years and personal life

Hamid Karzai, an ethnic Pashtun of the Popalzai clan of the Durrani tribe, was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Pashtuns ( Pashto: پښتون Paṣtūn, Paxtūn, also rendered as Pushtuns, Pakhtuns, Pukhtuns) also called Popalzai or Popalzay is a tribal name of the Pashtun clan that is part of the larger Durrani (formerly called Abdali) tribe Durrānī ( or Abdālī ( is the name of a chief Tribal Confederation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. For the 2001 film see Kandahar (film; for the Kandahar meteorite of 1959 see Meteorite falls; for the places in Azerbaijan see Cəndəhar and Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, He comes from a family that were strong supporters of the former king, Zahir Shah. Mohammed Zahir Shah ( 15 October 1914 &ndash 23 July 2007) was the last King ( Shah) of Afghanistan, reigning He has six brothers and one sister. Karzai is well-versed in several languages, including Pashto, Persian, Urdu, Hindi, English and French. Pashto ( Naskh: پښتو‎ pəʂ'to also rendered as Pakhto, Pushto, Pukhto, Pashtu, Pushtu, also known as Urdu ( ur '''{{Nastaliq اردو}}''' trans Urdū, historically spelled Ordu) is a Central Indo-Aryan language Urdu is a standardised Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people ^[5]

From 1979 to 1983, Karzai took a postgraduate course in political science at Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. Introduction Established in 1970 Himachal Pradesh University is a Public university in Shimla, India. Shimla [ʃɪmla] ( Hindi: शिमला originally called Simla, is a city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh ( Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ pronounced) is a state in the India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country He then returned to work as a fund-raiser by supporting anti-Soviet Mujahideen in Afghanistan during the Soviet intervention for the rest of the 1980s. A Mujahid (Arabic ar مجاهد, literally "struggler" is a Muslim involved in a Jihad, id est fighting in a war or The Soviet war in Afghanistan, also known as the Soviet-Afghan War or just the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, was a nine-year conflict involving After the fall of Najibullah's Soviet-backed government in 1992, he served as Deputy Foreign Minister in the government of Burhanuddin Rabbani. Najibullah ( Pashto: نجيب الله; born August 1947 killed September 27, 1996) was the fourth and last President of the Burhanuddin Rabbani ( - Burhânuddîn Rabbânî) (born 1940 an ethnic Tajik, is a former President of Afghanistan.

In 1999, Hamid Karzai married Zeenat Karzai, an obstetrician by profession who was working as a doctor with Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Obstetrics (from the Latin obstare, "to stand by" is the surgical speciality dealing with the care of a woman and her offspring during Pregnancy Afghan refugees (known as Muhajir Afghans in South Asia) are people who fled Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion in 1979 and during the Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and They have a son named Mirwais. ^[6] Karzai is known for his trademark Karakul hat. A Qaraqul ( Karacul, QaraQul) hat (قراقلی is a hat made from the fur of the Qaraqul breed of sheep. ^{[7][8][9][10]}

Involvement in the Soviet war in Afghanistan

Karzai was a member of the Mujahideen and took active part in driving the Soviets out of Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion in the 1980s. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Mujahideen were secretly supplied and funded by the United States, and Karzai was a top contact for the U. S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) at the time. near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all He had close personal contact with CIA Director William Casey and George H. W. Bush, who was Vice President of the United States. William Joseph Casey ( March 13, 1913 &ndash May 6, 1987) was the Director of Central Intelligence from 1981 to 1987 George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12 1924 served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Karzai's brothers immigrated to the U. S. however Hamid Karzai stayed in Afghanistan and Pakistan working for the jihad against the soviet occupation.

Former Taliban supporter

Hamid Karzai in 2003, with a longer beard and his traditional turban. The turban (from Persian fa دلبند or دولبند dulband via the Turkish tr tülbent) is a headdress consisting of a long

When the Taliban emerged in the 1990s, Karzai was at first one of their supporters but later he broke with them and refused to serve as their U.N. ambassador. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security However on August 20, 1998, after an attempt by the United States to kill Osama bin Laden with a cruise missile, Karzai praised the Taliban saying,

He lived in exile in Quetta, in Pakistan where he worked to reinstate the Afghan king, Zahir Shah. ( Urdu: کوئٹہ) ( Pashto: کوټه) also spelled Kwatah City is a variation of kwatkot a Pashto word meaning “fort Mohammed Zahir Shah ( 15 October 1914 &ndash 23 July 2007) was the last King ( Shah) of Afghanistan, reigning His father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, was assassinated, presumably by Taliban agents, on July 14, 1999, and Karzai swore revenge against the Taliban by working to help overthrow them. AssassiNation is the sixth album by Krisiun, released in 2006 on Century Media. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) In 2001, Hamid Karzai worked closely with the Ahmad Shah Massoud to help gather support for the anti-Taliban movement. Ahmad Shah Massoud ( (2 September 1953 &ndash 9 September 2001 was a Tajik Kabul University engineering student turned military leader who played a leading

On February 11, 2005, in an interview with the Oxford International Review, Karzai criticizes the role the U. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. S. played in empowering the Taliban to take control in Afghanistan. He claims he spent many years before the 9/11 attacks warning embassies about the threat, but the West failed to respond, an act of “neglect, selfishness and short-sightedness. " While he highlights the key role the United States and other donors have played in rebuilding and developing Afghanistan, his tone is not without bitterness.

Chairman to Interim President

Hamid Karzai appointed as President of the Afghan Transitional Administration at the July 13, 2002, Loya Jirga in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Afghan Transitional Administration was established in June and July of 2002. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. A Loya Jirga ( Pashto: لويه جرګه, Persian: جرگه بزرگ) is a "grand assembly" a phrase taken from the name of large } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت,

In the months following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, Mujahideen loyal to the Northern Alliance and other groups worked with the U.S. military to overthrow the Taliban and muster support for a new government in Afghanistan. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A Mujahid (Arabic ar مجاهد, literally "struggler" is a Muslim involved in a Jihad, id est fighting in a war or The United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan ( UIF, Jabha-yi Muttahid-i Islami-yi Milli bara-yi Nijat-i Afghanistan) also known as the Northern The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States In October 2001, Hamid Karzai and his group of fighters survived an American "friendly fire" missile attack in southern Afghanistan. The group received injuries and were treated in the United States, Karzai received injuries to his facial nerves as can be noticed sometimes during his speeches. ^[12]

In December of 2001, political leaders gathered in Germany to agree on new leadership structures. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Under the December 5 Bonn Agreement they formed an interim Transitional Administration and named Karzai Chairman of a 29-member governing committee. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Officially the Agreement on Provisional Arrangements in Afghanistan Pending the Re-Establishment of Permanent Government Institutions, the Bonn Agreement was the initial series He was sworn-in as leader on December 22. Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies The Loya Jirga of June 13, 2002, appointed Karzai Interim holder of the new position as President of the Afghan Transitional Administration. A Loya Jirga ( Pashto: لويه جرګه, Persian: جرگه بزرگ) is a "grand assembly" a phrase taken from the name of large Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Afghan Transitional Administration was established in June and July of 2002.

Hamid Karzai as Interim President in June 2004 being applauded by politicians at the United States Congress in Washington, D.C.

After being installed into power Karzai's actual authority outside the capital city of Kabul was said to be so limited that he was often derided as the "Mayor of Kabul". A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with Former members of the Northern Alliance remained extremely influential, most notably Vice President Mohammed Fahim, who also served as Defense Minister. Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim ( محمد قسيم فهيم) (born 1957 in Omarz, Afghanistan) is a prominent Military Commander and Politician

In 2004 he rejected a US proposal to end poppy production in Afghanistan through aerial spraying of chemical herbicides, fearing that it would harm the economic situation of his countrymen. A poppy is any of a number of showy Flowers typically withone per stem, belonging to the poppy family. A herbicide is used to kill unwanted Plants Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired Crop relatively unharmed Moreover, Karzai's younger brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, who partially helped finance Karzai's presidential campaign, is rumored to be involved in the drug trade^[13] (although Karzai's family were quite wealthy already from owning well established restaurants in the United States. Ahmad Wali Khan Karzai, younger brother of Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is the representative for southern Afghanistan ^[14][15][16]) The situation was particularly delicate since Karzai and his administration have not been equipped either financially or politically to influence reforms outside of the region around the capital city of Kabul. Other areas, particularly the more remote ones, are currently and have historically been under the influence of various local leaders. Karzai has been, to varying degrees of success, attempting to negotiate and form amicable alliances with them for the benefit of Afghanistan as a whole, instead of aggressively fighting them and risking an uprising.

2004 presidential election

Karzai was a candidate in the October 9, 2004 presidential election. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " An election to the office of President of Afghanistan was held on October 9 2004 He won 21 of the 34 provinces, defeating his 22 opponents and became the first democratically elected leader of Afghanistan. The Provinces of Afghanistan (locally recognized as wilayats - ولايت are the primary Administrative divisions of Afghanistan.

Inauguration of Hamid Karzai on December 7, 2004, after winning the presidential election. December 2004: ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September An election to the office of President of Afghanistan was held on October 9 2004

As incumbent president Karzai held high name recognition among voters, and was admired by his supporters for his steady leadership during an uncertain post-war period. Other contributing factors to his win may have included his endorsement by US President George W. Bush's administration, the use of US Army transport during his election campaign, the brief one-month campaign season as well as the paucity of news coverage in the country about his opponents. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Although his campaigning was limited due to fears of violence, elections passed without significant incident. Following investigation by the UN of alleged voting irregularities, the national election commission on November 3 declared Karzai winner, without runoff, with 55. Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. 4% of the vote. This represented 4. 3 million of the total 8. 1 million votes cast. The election took place safely in spite of a surge of insurgent activity. ^[17]

Karzai was officially sworn in as President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on December 7, 2004 at a formal ceremony in Kabul. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Many interpreted the ceremony as a symbolically important "new start" for the war-torn nation. Notable guests at the inauguration included the country's former King, Zahir Shah, three living former US presidents, and U. Mohammed Zahir Shah ( 15 October 1914 &ndash 23 July 2007) was the last King ( Shah) of Afghanistan, reigning S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney (born January 30 1941 is the forty-sixth and current Vice President of the United States.

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

After winning a democratic mandate in the 2004 election and removing many of the former Northern Alliance warlords from his cabinet, it was thought that Karzai would pursue a more aggressively reformist path in 2005. However, Karzai has proved to be more cautious than was expected.

Ever since Karzai's new administration took over in 2004, the economy of Afghanistan has been growing rapidly for the first time in many years. The economy of Afghanistan has improved significantly since 2002 due to the infusion of multi-billion US dollars in international assistance and investments as well as remittances Government revenue is increasing every year, although it is still heavily dependent on foreign aid.

March 1, 2006, President George W. Bush and Hamid Karzai appear together in Kabul, Afghanistan. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with

On September 20, 2006 Karzai told the United Nations General Assembly that Afghanistan has become the "worst victim" of terrorism. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Membership For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly see General Assembly members ^[18] Karzai said terrorism is "rebounding" in his country, with militants infiltrating the borders to wage attacks on civilians. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion He stated, "This does not have its seeds alone in Afghanistan. Military action in the country will, therefore, not deliver the shared goal of eliminating terrorism. " He demanded assistance from the international community to destroy terrorist sanctuaries inside and outside Afghanistan. "You have to look beyond Afghanistan to the sources of terrorism," he told the UN General Assembly, and "destroy terrorist sanctuaries beyond" the country, dismantle the elaborate networks in the region that recruit, indoctrinate, train, finance, arm, and deploy terrorists. These activities are also robbing thousands of Afghan children of their right to education, and prevent health workers from doing their jobs in Afghanistan. In addition he promised to eliminate opium-poppy cultivation in the country, which helps fuel the ongoing insurgency. Operation Medusa was a Canadian -led offensive by major elements of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Army that began on He has repeatedly demanded that NATO and U. The North Atlantic Treaty S. -led coalition forces take more care when conducting military operations in residential areas to avoid civilian casualties, which undermine his government's already weak standing in parts of the country. ^[19]

In a video broadcast on September 24, 2006, Karzai stated that if the money wasted on the Iraq War was actually spent on rebuilding Afghanistan, his country would "be in heaven in less than one year". Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign ^[20] In May of 2007, after as many as 51 Afghan civilians were killed in a bombing, Karzai asserted that his government "can no longer accept" casualties caused by the US and NATO operations. The Demographics of Afghanistan are ethnically and linguistically mixed The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The North Atlantic Treaty ^[21]

Assassination attempts

Karzai in early 2003, wearing his traditional clothes and a karakul hat. A Qaraqul ( Karacul, QaraQul) hat (قراقلی is a hat made from the fur of the Qaraqul breed of sheep.

• September 5, 2002, an assassination attempt was made on Hamid Karzai in Kandahar City. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. AssassiNation is the sixth album by Krisiun, released in 2006 on Century Media. A gunman wearing the uniform of the new Afghan National Army opened fire, wounding Gul Agha Sherzai (former governor of Kandahar) and an American Special Operations officer. The Afghan National Army (ANA is a service branch of the Military of Afghanistan currently being trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the lead in Gul Agha Sherzai is the current Governor of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan. The gunman, one of the President's bodyguards, and a bystander who knocked down the gunman were killed when Karzai's American bodyguards returned fire. Recently, some pictures of the U. S. Navy's DEVGRU responding to the attempt have surfaced. The United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, commonly known as DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six ( ST6) by civilians is the United States ] Apparently one of their members were wounded.
• September 16, 2004, an attempted assassination on Karzai took place when a rocket missed the helicopter he was flying in while en route to Gardez. Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " History Since 400 AD Chinese children have played with bamboo flying toys. Gardēz is the capital of the Paktiā province of Afghanistan.
• June 10, 2007, the Taliban attempted to assassinate Karzai in Ghazni where Karzai was giving a speech to elders. Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Ghazni City ( - Ğaznī; Ghazna and Ghaznīn are the old names for Ghazni The Taliban fired approximately 12 rockets, some of which landed 220 yards (200 m) away from the crowd. Karzai was not hurt in the incident and was transported away from the location after finishing his speech. ^[22][23][24]

• April 27, 2008: Taliban insurgents used automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades to attack a military parade that Karzai was attending in Kabul. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common An automatic firearm is a Firearm that automatically extracts and ejects the fired cartridge case and loads a new case usually through the energy of the fired RPG or rocket-propelled grenade, is a loose term describing hand-held shoulder-launched Anti-tank weapons capable of firing an unguided } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with Karzai was safe, but at least three people were killed, including a parliamentarian, ten-year-old girl and a minority leader, and ten injured. ^[25][26] Other attending the event included government ministers, former warlords, diplomats and the military top brass, to mark the 16th anniversary of the fall of the Afghan communist government to the mujahideen. ^[27] Responding to the attack during the ceremony the United Nations said the attackers "have shown their utter disrespect for the history and people of Afghanistan. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security "^[28]Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed claimed responsibility for the attack stating, "We fired rockets at the scene of the celebration. " He went on to say there were 6 Taliban at the scene and that 3 were killed. "Our aim was not to directly hit someone," Mujahed said when asked if the intention was to kill Karzai. "We just wanted to show to the world that we can attack anywhere we want to. "^[28]

Relations with USA, Iran and Pakistan

In a January 2008 interview, Karzai expressed his feelings towards America by stating: "if I am called a puppet because we are grateful to America, then let that be my nickname. "^[29]

Although the Bush administration in USA often charge that Iran has been meddling in Afghanistan's affairs, Karzai stated that Iran is a "very close friend" of Afghanistan despite accusations of Iranian-made arms being found in Afghanistan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. ^[30]

President Hamid Karzai's August 2007 visit to the United States, where he was met by George and Laura Bush at Camp David in Maryland. August 2007 is the eighth month of that year It began on a Wednesday and 31 days later ended on a Friday. Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4 1946 is the wife of the forty-third and current President of the United States, George W The Naval Support Facility Thurmont, popularly known as Camp David, is the rustic 125-acre (0

In August of 2007 Karzai contradicted US assessments on Iran's role in Afghanistan by saying that Iran has been "a helper and a solution. "^[31][32] Karzai added that "Iran has been a supporter of Afghanistan, in the peace process that we have and the fight against terror, and the fight against narcotics in Afghanistan. . . "^[32] Also in the same month, on August 5, 2007, Karzai was invited to Camp David in Maryland, USA, for a special meeting with U. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. The Naval Support Facility Thurmont, popularly known as Camp David, is the rustic 125-acre (0 S. President George W. Bush.

In October of 2007, Karzai rejected Western accusations against Iran, stating, "We have resisted the negative propaganda launched by foreign states against the Islamic Republic and we stress that aliens' propaganda should not leave a negative impact on the consolidated ties between the two great nations of Iran and Afghanistan. The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. "^[33] Karzai added, "The two Iranian and Afghan nations are close to each other due to their bonds and commonalities, they belong to the same house and they will live alongside each other for good. The Iranian people are a collection of Ethnic groups defined along linguistic lines as speaking Iranian languages. "^[33][34]

In late December of 2007 Karzai and his delegates went to meet President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, Pakistan, for new trade ties and intelligence sharing between the two countries. The President of Pakistan ( Urdū: صدر Sadr-e-Mumlikat) is the Head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. General (ret Pervez Musharraf ( (born 11 August 1943 NI(M, HI(M, TBt, is the former Military dictator and President of |name = Islamabad|native_name = |nickname = |settlement_type = Capital City |total_type ^[35] Karzai also met and had a 45-minute talk with Benazir Bhutto on the morning of December 27, hours before her trip to Liaquat National Bagh where she was assassinated after her speech. Benazir Bhutto ( Sindhi: بينظير ڀٽو Urdu: بینظیر بھٹو beːnəziːɾ bɦʊʈːoː (21 June 1953 &ndash 27 December 2007 was a Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Liaquat National Bagh (Park usually just referred to as Liaquat Bagh (Urdu لیاقت باغ is a famous park located on Murree Road in the city of Rawalpindi ^[36]

Talks with the Taliban

In April of 2007, Karzai acknowledged that he spoke to the Taliban about trying to bring peace in Afghanistan. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately ^[37] He noted that the Afghan Taliban are "always welcome" in Afghanistan, although foreign militants are not.

In September of 2007, Karzai again offered talks with the Taliban after a security scare forced him to end a commemoration speech. ^[38]Karzai left the event and was taken back to his palace, where he was due to meet visiting Latvian President Valdis Zatlers. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Valdis Zatlers (born March 22, 1955) is the 7th and current president of Latvia. After the meeting the pair held a joint news conference, at which Karzai called for talks with his Taliban foes. He made no reference to the security scare. "We don't have any formal negotiations with the Taliban. They don't have an address. Who do we talk to?" Karzai told reporters. He further stated: "If I can have a place where to send somebody to talk to, an authority that publicly says it is the Taliban authority, I will do it. "^[38]

Criticism

Hamid Karzai had associations with the Taliban in the past^[11] and was trying to negotiating with them. ^[37] He also attempted to negotiate with former Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar,^[40] but the offer was rejected by Hizb spokesman, Haroon Zarghoon. The Prime Minister of Afghanistan is a currently defunct post in the Afghan Government Gulbuddin Hekmatyar ( ګلبدین حکمتیار) (born 1947 is an Islamist Mujahideen leader and former warlord. ^[41] Zarghoon claims that until there is a, "clear date for pullout of foreign troops" there can be no deal with the Afghanistan government. ^[41]

Unocal connection

Karzai has been the talk of many conspiracy theories over his supposed consultant work for the infamous Union Oil Company of California aka Unocal a now defunct oil company. Union Oil Company of California dba Unocal is a defunct company that was a major petroleum explorer and marketer in the late 19th century through the 20th century and into the early ^[42][43] Spokesmen for both Unocal and Karzai have denied any such relationship, although Unocal could not speak for all companies involved in the consortium. The original and only claim that Karzai worked for Unocal originates from a December 6, 2001 issue of the French newspaper Le Monde. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Le Monde (The World is a ^[44]

Honorary degrees and awards

• An honorary doctorate in literature from Himachal Pradesh University in India, his alma mater, on March 7, 2003. Introduction Established in 1970 Himachal Pradesh University is a Public university in Shimla, India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.
• Honorary British Knight (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George) in June 2003. This is an incomplete list of people who have been created honorary Knights (or Dames by the British crown as well as those who have been raised to the two comparable Orders of Chivalry ( Order The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George Prince Regent (later George June 2003: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - ^[45]
• On July 4, 2004, Karzai was awarded the Philadelphia Liberty Medal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Liberty Medal is an annual award administered by the National Constitution Center of the United States to recognize leadership in the pursuit of freedom Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern In his acceptance speech, Karzai stated: "Where Liberty dies, evil grows. We Afghans have learned from our historical experiences that liberty does not come easily. We profoundly appreciate the value of liberty…for we have paid for it with our lives. And we will defend liberty with our lives. "^[46]
• On May 22, 2005, received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Boston University. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For similarly-named academic institutions see Education in Boston MA. ^[47]
• On May 25, 2005, received an honorary degree from the Center for Afghan Studies at the University of Nebraska — Omaha. Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The University of Nebraska at Omaha is the Omaha campus of the University of Nebraska system, and is the second-largest institution of higher education in Nebraska
• On September 25, 2006, received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Georgetown University. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Georgetown University is a Jesuit Private university located in Georgetown Washington D

See also

• List of state leaders
• List of leaders of Afghanistan
• Politics of Afghanistan

References

Further reading

• Morgan, Matthew J. . A Democracy Is Born: An Insider's Account of the Battle Against Terrorism in Afghanistan, Hardcover, 184 pages, Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-275-99999-8.  
• A first-hand account of the violence and counter-terrorism efforts of the 2004 elections appear in A Democracy Is Born. ^[1]

External links

• Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: Office of the President
• The Embassy of Afghanistan: President Hamid Karzai
• Notable Biographies: Hamid Karzai