Karzai picks warlord as VP

May 05, 2009|Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan - President Hamid Karzai chose a powerful warlord accused of rights abuses as one of his vice presidential running mates yesterday, hours before leaving for meetings in Washington with President Obama and Pakistan's president.

The selection of Mohammad Qasim Fahim, a top commander in the group Jamiat-e-Islami during Afghanistan's 1990s civil war, drew immediate criticism from human rights groups.

A 2005 Human Rights Watch report, "Blood-Stained Hands," found "credible and consistent evidence of widespread and systematic human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law" committed by Jamiat commanders, including Fahim.

Karzai was "insulting the country" with the choice, the group said yesterday.

Fahim served as Karzai's first vice president during the country's interim government after the ouster of the Taliban in 2001. During the 2004 election, Karzai dropped Fahim from his ticket in favor of Ahmad Zia Massood - the brother of resistance hero Ahmad Shah Massood, who was assassinated by Al Qaeda.

Under Afghan law, the president has two vice presidents.

"To see Fahim back in the heart of government would be a terrible step backwards for Afghanistan," said Brad Adams, the Asia director for Human Rights Watch. "He is widely believed by many Afghans to be still involved in many illegal activities, including running armed militias, as well as giving cover to criminal gangs and drug traffickers."

The US Embassy would not comment, saying it wasn't helpful for the United States to comment on individual candidates. However, a US statement said, "We believe the election is an opportunity for Afghanistan to move forward with leaders who will strengthen national unity."

Karzai's popularity has waned as civilian casualties caused by international military forces have increased and charges of government corruption persist.