Afghanistan News Updates -- March 2, 2009

U.S. Army Capt. Megan O’Conner, a Paktia Provincial Reconstruction Team civil affairs team chief, discusses renovations to the justice center compound with the provincial director of the attorney general department using an interpreter in Gardez City, Afghanistan, Feb. 11, 2009. The team works with provincial and local officials to identify reconstruction projects for funding. DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III

Afghan Presidential Candidate Criticizes Karzai's Order On Election Date -- China View

KABUL, March 2 (Xinhua)-- An Afghan Presidential candidate Monday slammed President Hamid Karzai's order for holding presidential polls in April, describing it as illegal.

"According to the law the candidates should have four months time to make their election campaign and get ready for the race," Ramazan Bashardost told Xinhua.

A former Planning Minister and serving parliamentarian, Bashardost stressed that the Election Commission is an "independent body and president does not have the right to order."

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More News On Afghanistan

Hamid Karzai accused of brinkmanship over call for early Afghanistan election -- The Guardian
US Rejects Karzai's Ploy to Call Snap Elections in April -- The Times
Afghan snap election unlikely, officials say -- Globe And Mail
Karzai Opponents Slam Decree for Early Elections -- Voice of America
Karzai's poll headache for allies -- The Independent
Karzai Draws Criticism for Early Election Call -- Christian Science Monitor
US Resists Karzai Poll Date Call -- BBC News
NATO warns on security if Afghans vote early -- Reuters
Missile Threat to British Troops -- The Times
Iran Boosts Taliban's Artillery -- The Australian
Troops face mental trauma 'on the scale of Vietnam' -- Daily Mail
Many in Afghanistan Oppose Troop Buildup Plans -- Christian Science Monitor
Afghan Officials Caution Against Scale Back of US Effort -- Voice of America
Step Aside, Limey, This is How to Fight the Taliban -- The Times
Coalition Forces Kill Militants in Afghanistan, Seize Caches -- AFPS
Casualties in Afghanistan on the rise, AP says -- News14
Canada's candid PM Harper warns Obama: We'll never defeat Afghan insurgents -- LA Times
Canada, allies will never defeat Taliban, PM says -- Globe And Mail
Canadian PM says Afghan war can never be won -- Reuters
Tactical Success, Strategic Defeat -- Washington Post
Afghan civilians could bear brunt of increased war -- Yahoo News/AP
Afghan conflict never more acute: Red Cross -- Yahoo News/AFP
Field Notes From Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Actress Forced into Hiding as Taleban Return -- The Times
Who Has the Power in Afghanistan? -- Christian Science Monitor opinion
How to Win in Afghanistan -- Washington Times opinion