John Kerry Hailed a Hero After Brokering Afghan Election Deal

[Inuca]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/john-kerry-hailed-hero-after-brokering-afghan-election-deal-n155216

Hi everybody! have not been around in a LOOOOONG time, but this I just HAD to post. Just a taste of what you will find at the link:

Taxi driver Noor Ahmad said he was happy and excited that the deal had been reached with Kerry’s help.

“I ask the government of Afghanistan to give this tall man — I call him Jan Agha — Afghan citizenship so he might be able to run for president next time," the 47-year-old said, using a title of honor to refer to Kerry. "I am so grateful for Jan Agha’s tireless efforts to bring our politicians together and help end the uncertainty."

“Thank you, Mr. John,” Ahmad added in English.

[mylye2222]

1. Hi Inuca. Thanks to this good Afghan guy too.

Tjis lovely appreciation jusy show how Kerry is recognized so well for the out standing négociations he just achieved. Lets hope it will last for a safe and peacfull Afghanistan.

[MBS]

2. nice article!

Also nice to hear from you!

[karynnj]

3. You beat me by one minute --- it is a fantastic article!

This is significant and gives Afghanistan a chance to avoid a complete implosion. It is hard to see how Afghanistan ever returns to anything peaceful. (In fact, I hesitate to use the word "return" as I am not sure when I would be referring to - as it obviously would have to be pre Taliban, pre war with the USSR. In other words, likely before half the people there were born!)

With everything happening in Israel, Iraq and the Iran talks near a deadline, this has kind of got lost in the noise. I suspect many might have mixed feelings if this actually succeeds, a government is formed and they sign the SOFA. Yet, without that all happening, it is likely Afghanistan would be a hostile, Taliban led country within a very short time of our leaving.

[karynnj]

4. Bloomberg has a great article too

Here is a fantastic quote from the UN official who worked on this with Kerry:

“Whenever there is a need, you are here, and you deliver miracles,” the UN’s Kubis told Kerry on July 12 at a press conference with President Hamid Karzai. “Because what we witnessed today, it was not just a top-notch diplomatic achievement; it was close to a miracle.”

Kerry's comments explain how this goes far beyond just agreeing to a recount. Both sides committed to a unity government where both sides will have their interests represented.

The losing side is likely to have a formal role in the future government, the U.S. official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the discussions between the candidates are still confidential. The official declined to confirm a report in the New York Times that the loser would be made a prime minister or that there would be moves to a parliamentary system.
<snip>
“The United States supports a sovereign, unified, and democratic Afghanistan, and our commitment to that future is absolutely clear,” Kerry said on July 12. “Our partnership with the Afghan people is strong, and together we have determined that the long, hard road ahead is going to bring us to a better place.”
<snip>
“They are working within the constitutional process to readdress grievances, urging restraint among their supporters, and refraining from any actions that could tear the country apart rather than help bring it together, which they are doing tonight,” Kerry said on July 12. “That is what patriotism requires, and I will tell you that both Dr. Ghani and Dr. Abdullah are proud Afghan patriots.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-13/kerry-saves-u-s-s-afghanistan-investment-with-vote-deal.html

--- I guess skills developed over years of trying to get Republicans and Democrats to work together were well used. It really is promising that they are speaking together.

[Inuca]

7. Close to a miracle :-)

Great quote!

So nice to see some of the "old faithful" + a few new names.

And I'll try to make myself less scarce... life is a rather depressing mess As the world seems to be to a large extent x1000.

[MBS]

8. Tough times all around : (

Hang in there, Inuca!!

[karynnj]

5. Christian Science Monitor has insight on the move to a unity government

They essentially are correcting a major flaw in the Bush influenced government giving the President very strong powers.

The United States-backed and guided Afghan constitution that was put in place a decade ago created a powerful, almost king-like authority for Hamid Karzai, the man hand-picked by the George W. Bush administration to run the country.
<snip>
But that's not really the important bit. It appears that Kerry extracted from both men a promise to work towards creating a new arrangement that would end the supreme powers of the Afghan presidency.

Here's the key bit from the UN statement on the agreement: "The agreement also includes the formation of a government of national unity upon the declaration of the final results of the Presidential election."

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/Backchannels/2014/0714/Did-Kerry-just-ditch-America-s-vision-for-Afghanistan

[wisteria]

6. It is always wonderful to read words of praise regarding Sec. Kerry.

And, hello to you, good to hear from you again.