Most people in the Netherlands think their country's soldiers will continue to serve for some time in the international force fighting in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. 27 per cent of respondents say the Dutch mission in Urguzan will be extended, whereas 31 per cent say the mission will continue, but with fewer soldiers. A fifth of respondents think Dutch soldiers could be relocated to another area in Afghanistan, and 14 per cent say all Dutch soldiers will return home after 2010. Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden without evidence of his participation in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.
A fifth of respondents think Dutch soldiers could be relocated to another area in Afghanistan, and 14 per cent say all Dutch soldiers will return home after 2010.
Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden without evidence of his participation in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.
Afghan officials canceled a runoff presidential vote set for Saturday and declared President Hamid Karzai the winner on Monday, a day after his remaining challenger, , Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew. The announcement capped a fraught election widely depicted as deeply flawed by corruption and voting irregularities. Azizullah Ludin, the chairman of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission, said the Constitution did not require a runoff and the second-round vote, set for Saturday, had been canceled after Mr. Abdullah's announcement that he was dropping out.
The announcement capped a fraught election widely depicted as deeply flawed by corruption and voting irregularities.
Azizullah Ludin, the chairman of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission, said the Constitution did not require a runoff and the second-round vote, set for Saturday, had been canceled after Mr. Abdullah's announcement that he was dropping out.
Western leaders are offering support and congratulations to Hamid Karzai who was declared president of Afghanistan. Whether he will receive the support of the people after a fraud-marred campaign remains unknown. Gordon Brown, Ban Ki-moon and Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle were among those offering their public support for Hamid Karzai's victory on Monday. Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) had earlier cancelled the upcoming presidential run-off and declared the incumbent candidate the winner.
Gordon Brown, Ban Ki-moon and Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle were among those offering their public support for Hamid Karzai's victory on Monday.
Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) had earlier cancelled the upcoming presidential run-off and declared the incumbent candidate the winner.
