US asks Karzai to clarify remarks

Washington, Apr: United States on Friday, Apr 2, has sought clarification from Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai over his remarks that world community interfered in Afghanistan's elections.

Terming the remarks as 'troubling', White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs said that US has sought clarification from Karzai Government in this matter.

"They are troubling. A real and genuine concern. We are seeking clarification from President Karzai. Those security gains (in Marja) are only secured through competent governance," Gibbs told reporters in a press gaggle.

Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, P J Crowley, informed that the US official is going to meet Karzai in this regard.

"I believe our ambassador, Karl Eikenberry, has met with President Karzai today, to clarify what he meant by these remarks," P J Crowley, told reporters at his daily news briefing.

"We are troubled by the comments that he (Karzai) made yesterday. From our standpoint, we are investing substantial resources to defeat Al Qaida. It's in our interest," he said.

Earlier, On Friday, Apr 2, Karzai alleged that international community meddled in Afghanistan domestic affairs, including the Afghanistan's elections .

"There was fraud in presidential and provincial council elections -- no doubt that there was a very widespread fraud, very widespread," Karzai told Afghan election commission workers in Kabul.

"But Afghans did not do this fraud. The foreigners did this fraud," he said.

Karzai's statement has raised concern on whether the President Barack Obama's visit to Afghanistan on Mar 28, has failed to draw Afghanistan's commitment on fighting terrorism and establishing a stable governance.

OneIndia News