Presidential Candidates

13. Abdul Hadi KHALILZAI Born: 1974 (Hegira 1353) in Konar Province Political Affiliation: independent First Vice-Presidential Running Mate in 2004: Khodainur Mandokhel Second Vice-Presidential Running Mate in 2004: Khoda Dat Erfani

As an official in the Transitional Administration's Information and Culture Ministry, Khalilzai criticized the Karzai government for its inability to deliver security, accusing it and the international community of climbing down from commitments made in the 2001 Bonn agreement concerning disarmament. He also charged that those "who destabilize the situation remain in power, and the rule of guns is pervasive" ("Kabul Weekly").     While welcoming "legal" international aid delivered within the framework of the United Nations, presidential candidate Khalilzai rejected "assistance and activities aimed at consolidating influence and achieving personal objectives" and backed a referendum on aid from the international community ("Kabul Weekly").     Khalilzai stressed the need to "prepare the ground for foreign investors to invest and build factories in Afghanistan" to help boost employment, which he has identified as a major obstacle to stability (Afghanistan Television).     He was among the four candidates who did not call on Hamid Karzai to resign his Transitional Administration chairmanship to run in the 2004 presidential election. SOURCES: JEMB; RFE/RL; Radio Free Afghanistan; Ludwig W. Adamec, "Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan"; Martin Ewans, "Afghanistan: A Short History of Its People and Politics"; and as noted.