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Afghan Leader Replaces Regional Officials
President Hamid Karzai has replaced a pair of governors and a group of police commanders in a drive to strengthen the central governmentâs influence in Afghanistanâs lawless provinces. Karzai appointed Mohammad Yusuf as governor of western Farah province, and Azizullah Afzali as governor of Baghdis, state television announced Tuesday. New police chiefs were named in five northern and central provinces. The appointments come less than two weeks after Karzai issued a decree pledging to oust tyrannical officials, beef up the police and deliver services such as banking and telephones even to the most far-flung districts. The project is a challenge to militia commanders who still hold sway in much of the country. It coincides with plans by the U.S. military deliver millions in aid and bolster local government in the troubled south and east. Karzai already installed new governors last month in Zabul and Paktika, two southeastern provinces on the Pakistani border torn by violence and where Kabulâs influence is faint. Takes time, looks like heâs going province by province installing his people. State TV also announced the appointment of a veteran official as chief of training for the countryâs desertion-plagued national army. Gul Nabi Ahmadzai held influential government positions during the 1992-96 civil war and the Taliban regime that followed. Hummm, guess heâs been rehabilitated. Posted by: Steve 2004-02-03 |
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