Afghan President Karzai Stands by Fraud Comments
VOA News 05 April 2010
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he stands by his remarks last week accusing the West of carrying out election fraud in Afghanistan.
In an interview with BBC television Monday, President Karzai said his statement blaming international embassies and organizations for meddling in Afghanistan's August 20 presidential vote was true.
The Obama administration voiced concern again about Mr. Karzai's statements Monday.
A White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said the Afghan president's remarks accusing foreigners of fraud are troubling and simply not true. Although Gibbs said the White House is frustrated with the Afghan leader's remarks, he said a planned meeting between President Barack Obama and Mr. Karzai next month in Washington is still scheduled.
Meanwhile in Afghanistan, NATO forces say they killed 10 militants in a joint U.S.-Afghan raid in Nangarhar province. NATO officials say the raid took place early Monday near the Pakistani border.
Also Monday, Afghan officials say gunmen wounded a provincial councilwoman and her driver in the northern region of the country.
Authorities say Nida Khyani and her driver are in the hospital after Monday's attack in Pul-e-Khumri.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting, but officials say the Taliban is suspected.
The Taliban opposes education for girls and women's participation in public affairs.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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