Remarks by president Obama on Afghan elections (August 21)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE RECENT ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
August 21, 2009
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. I want to say a
few words about this week's election in Afghanistan. This was an important step
forward in the Afghan people's effort to take control of their future, even as
violent extremists are trying to stand in their way.
This election was run by the Afghan people. In fact, it
was the first democratic election run by Afghans in over three decades. More
than 30 presidential candidates and more than 3,000 provincial council
candidates ran for office, including a record number of women. Some 6,000
polling stations were open around the country, and Afghan National Security
Forces took the lead in providing security.
Over the last few days -- and particularly yesterday --
we've seen acts of violence and intimidation by the Taliban, and there may be
more in the days to come.
We knew that the Taliban would try to derail this
election. Yet even in the face of this brutality, millions of Afghans exercised
the right to choose their leaders and determine their own destiny. And as I
watched the election, I was struck by their courage in the face of
intimidation, and their dignity in the face of disorder.
There is a clear contrast between those who seek to
control their future at the ballot box, and those who kill to prevent that from
happening. Once again, extremists in Afghanistan have shown themselves willing
to murder innocent Muslims -- men, women and children -- to advance their aims.
But I believe that the future belongs to those who want to build -- not those
who want to destroy. And that is the future that was sought by the Afghans who
went to the polls, and the Afghan National Security Forces who protected them.
The United States did not support any candidate in this
election. Our only interest was the result fairly, accurately reflecting the
will of the Afghan people, and that is what we will continue to support as the
votes are counted, and we wait for the official results from the Afghan
Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission.
Meanwhile, we will continue to work with our Afghan
partners to strengthen Afghan security, governance, and opportunity. Our goal
is clear: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and their extremist
allies.
That goal will be achieved -- and our troops will be able to come home
-- as Afghans continue to strengthen their own capacity, and take
responsibility for their own future.
Our men and women in uniform are doing an extraordinary
job in Afghanistan. So are the civilians who serve by their side. All of them
are in our thoughts and prayers, as are their families back home. This is not a
challenge that we asked for -- it came to our shores when al Qaeda launched the
9/11 attacks from Afghanistan. But America, our allies and partners, and above
all the Afghan people share a common interest in pursuing security,
opportunity, and justice.
We look forward to renewing our partnership with the
Afghan people as they move ahead under a new government. I want to again
congratulate the Afghanistan people on carrying out this historic election, and
wish them a blessed month as they come together to welcome the beginning of
Ramadan.
Thanks very much, everybody.
Q What about the hero's welcome in Libya, sir?
Q Do you consider Libya a terrorist state, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it was highly objectionable.
END
See also http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-the-recent-elections-in-Afghanistan/