October 12, 2004: Headlines: COS - Afghanistan: Politics: Elections: Washington Post: "This election had two major messages. First, Afghans believe they have a right to participate in their government, that it's their legacy after 30 years of violence," said Thomas E. Gouttierre, who just returned from Kabul and directs the University of Nebraska's Center for Afghanistan Studies. "The results will also carry a message to jihadis: Thanks for what you did against the Soviets, but we want to turn a new page and have another group of leaders for our future."

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Afghanistan: Special Report: Afghanistan Expert RPCV Thomas Gouttierre: October 12, 2004: Headlines: COS - Afghanistan: Politics: Elections: Washington Post: "This election had two major messages. First, Afghans believe they have a right to participate in their government, that it's their legacy after 30 years of violence," said Thomas E. Gouttierre, who just returned from Kabul and directs the University of Nebraska's Center for Afghanistan Studies. "The results will also carry a message to jihadis: Thanks for what you did against the Soviets, but we want to turn a new page and have another group of leaders for our future."

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-9-111.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.9.111) on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 12:12 pm: Edit Post

"This election had two major messages. First, Afghans believe they have a right to participate in their government, that it's their legacy after 30 years of violence," said Thomas E. Gouttierre, who just returned from Kabul and directs the University of Nebraska's Center for Afghanistan Studies. "The results will also carry a message to jihadis: Thanks for what you did against the Soviets, but we want to turn a new page and have another group of leaders for our future."

This election had two major messages. First, Afghans believe they have a right to participate in their government, that it's their legacy after 30 years of violence, said Thomas E. Gouttierre, who just returned from Kabul and directs the University of Nebraska's Center for Afghanistan Studies. The results will also carry a message to jihadis: Thanks for what you did against the Soviets, but we want to turn a new page and have another group of leaders for our future.

"This election had two major messages. First, Afghans believe they have a right to participate in their government, that it's their legacy after 30 years of violence," said Thomas E. Gouttierre, who just returned from Kabul and directs the University of Nebraska's Center for Afghanistan Studies. "The results will also carry a message to jihadis: Thanks for what you did against the Soviets, but we want to turn a new page and have another group of leaders for our future."

Election Touted as Model for Iraq -- to a Point

By Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 12, 2004; Page A19

At a sensitive moment in the U.S. presidential campaign, the Bush administration is promoting the tentative success of Afghanistan's election as a hopeful model for Iraq's future: a messy, often violent struggle against extremists that has nevertheless produced democratic elections.

The agreement yesterday by Afghan opposition candidates not to boycott the results, despite allegations of irregularities, marks a welcome moment in a tough year for the administration in Iraq and for U.S. diplomacy in the Islamic world.

[Excerpt]

Analysts also say the results in Afghanistan -- and the compromise that prevented a threatened boycott by all 15 opposition candidates for president -- are largely attributable to an Afghan thirst to end the era of civil strife. No international intervention could produce those results unless Afghans had been eager to participate, they said.

"This election had two major messages. First, Afghans believe they have a right to participate in their government, that it's their legacy after 30 years of violence," said Thomas E. Gouttierre, who just returned from Kabul and directs the University of Nebraska's Center for Afghanistan Studies. "The results will also carry a message to jihadis: Thanks for what you did against the Soviets, but we want to turn a new page and have another group of leaders for our future."

Those factors were reflected in the compromise, negotiated by U.N. and U.S. envoys, to let an independent commission investigate alleged irregularities.

Gouttierre said the administration deserves praise for "a step well taken and well delivered." But he also credited major roles by the international community, both in security efforts and election preparation by the United Nations.





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Story Source: Washington Post

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