Karzai sworn in as Afghan president for 2nd term
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It is said that only 20 percent of some 32 billion U.S. dollars contributed to Afghanistan since 2002 by the international community, has been spent through Afghanistan government.
President Karzai in his speech called on donor nations to raise this percentage to 50 percent over the next two years.
He also described Afghanistan's relation with Washington as very important and said, "Afghanistan hopes to acquire the status of a major non-NATO ally of the United States."
On relation with China, the Afghan president said, "The People' s Republic of China is our good neighbor and partner in the development process in Afghanistan."
He also thanked India for contributing 1.3 billion U.S. dollars and said, "We enjoy strategic relations with the Republic of India and thousands of Afghan students are educated in Indian universities."
The Afghan president also expressed his gratitude to all the neighboring states of Afghanistan for their contribution in the rebuilding process of the war-torn country.
He also stressed to continue the national reconciliation policy for having durable peace in the country and called on armed opposition to lay down arms and resume their normal life.
"Military alone cannot solve the problem. I am calling on all oppositions who have no link to the terrorist network return home and resume their normal live," Karzai said and added his administration would convene the traditional Loya Jirga or grand assembly to ensure permanent peace in the war-ravaged nation.
Earlier, the president was sworn in in front of hundreds of the audience by saying, "I swear to obey and safeguard the provision of the sacred of Islam, the constitution, the laws of the land and to implement it."
The ceremony was held amid tight security as personnel of law enforcing agencies including police and army have been deployed in sensitive areas, streets and on the hilltops of the capital city to ensure security.
Despite Taliban militants possible threat who carried out several rocket and bomb attack on August 20 presidential election to derail the voting process, the oath taking ceremony was ended peacefully and no security incidents have been reported.
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