Ambassador: Afghan poll likely to be undemocratic

THE EU ambassador to Afghanistan has admitted the upcoming parliamentary elections are likely to be undemocratic as a circle of bloody violence continues to cripple the country.

Having pumped $75 million (€61m) of EU taxpayers’ money, including Ireland’s, into elections in the war-torn nation, the EU has a number of concerns which were relayed yesterday to Afghan president Hamid Karzai.

EU ambassador Vygaudas Usackas said there was also fear among Afghan citizens that US and Nato troops could just “pack up and leave”. But Usackas said EU support was there for the long haul. “We wish to have them [the elections] fair and transparent, but it won’t be democratic. It won’t. I want to be honest with the taxpayers.

“We won’t have the elections we wish to have. Afghanistan has never had a traditional democracy, it has been 30 years in war and they are surrounded by many undemocratic countries in the region.

“The West, the EU and Americans, we have been exaggerating the expectations in terms of the circumstances we face.”

About 80% of Afghans are illiterate, according to the EU. Concerns about the September elections include fraudulent or double voting as well as coerced voting, coming on the back of widespread accusations that last year’s presidential elections were partially rigged.

The ambassador added: “The main problem will be security and also the issue if we can hold elections in all the provinces. There will be no democratic elections. We don’t have a voter register. Maybe there’s 25, 35 or 40 million voters.” A robust system for voting checks and complaints was needed, he said. EU funding for both elections has included paying for printing, salaries, transportation, training of voting officers as well as security for female candidates.

Tensions remained high on the streets of Kabul yesterday after a daring double attack by insurgents. A suicide bomber on Tuesday killed 18 people, including several children on a bus. Insurgents using rockets and grenades yesterday also carried out a dawn raid on the Bagram air base outside Kabul.

Amid dusty roads full of military convoys and NGO vehicles, soldiers were on high alert yesterday after security reports that insurgents entering the city were disguised in US military uniforms.

Nato forces are also expecting attacks ahead of the anticipated peace “Jirga” conference next week. The meeting of more than 1,500 tribal elders will address the issue of a political settlement with the Taliban, once fighters agree to give up arms and adhere to the Afghanistan constitution.