Best wishes from my family, including my elder mother who voted for Karzai herself. Her request from Mr. Karzai is that he should find jobs for Afghan youths in Afghanistan, so that they won’t be forced to go to other countries to seek jobs. During the former leaders of Afghanistan, all my sons went to the Gulf for work. This is bothering me.

Noria [female] from Kabul:

We have not voted for Karzai for his linguistic, ethnic, or religious affiliation, but because he has promised to finish with warlords, establish democracy and speed up disarmament process. He removed his first deputy and Ismael Khan. Now we expect that instead of a compromise and other considerations, he keeps his promises and gets rid of the warlords and that instead of fundamentalists, he appoints democrats. Unfortunately, in the inauguration ceremony, we saw warlords instead of democracy representatives. Therefore, Karzai will add salt to our wounds. But we expect him to heal our wounds.

Mohammad Younus from Ghazni province, Andar district:

Karzai himself is a mujahedin. He should create Cabinet comprised of faithful and good people, not smugglers. I also want him to pay attention to our place which has been damaged during the time of wars very much.

Yousefi, from Logar province:

I want Karzai to bring some reforms to our province and to our district, Khoshi. Also, to remove the local commander and the district director.

Mohamad Gul from Paktia province:

I want Karzai to release those people who are innocent and have been imprisoned by Americans in different prisons in Bagram, Kandahar etc. as being considered Taliban.

Second, the trucks that have not paid taxes during 25 years of war are now being harassed by traffic police to pay taxes. Many refugees have returned to Afghanistan and are working with these trucks. They can not afford to pay the taxes right now. We want Karzai to waive their taxes temporarily. Also, please pay attention to all provinces equally.

Ahmad Shah from Kabul:

I want Karzai to appoint people on the basis of their qualification, not ethnic affiliation. These people should be not only in the cabinet, but also in all government offices throughout Afghanistan. In our province, illiterate people are appointed to high positions.

Mahout, a 5th grade pupil from Mirwais High School in Kunduz province:

We the children want that the new cabinet will be made comprised of qualified people. If again the warlords and the so-called Mujahedins occupy positions in the cabinet, the future of children will be dark again. We also ask the UN and international community not to stop their assistance, until a solid and healthy government is made. We need peace.

Aminullah from Kandahar province, 5th district:

We ask Karzai that his new cabinet is made out of qualified people. We have heard from the news agencies and some people that 70% of old cabinet members will stay in the new cabinet. If this is so, Afghans will be very discouraged and sad by this reality. The current Cabinet is comprised of warlords, commanders, mafia members and. This is our only request.

Mir Azam from Wardak province:

I am a soldier working for Afghan ministry of interior. I am standing in the cold weather and serving my country and people. Karzai should also serve the Afghan people and fulfill his promises he gave to the people of Afghanistan.

(Translation of the comments from Dari and Pashto into English by RFE/RL’s Afghan Service)