Presidential Candidates

12. Wakil MANGAL Born: 1954 (Hegira 1333) in eastern Khost Province Political Affiliation: independent First Vice-Presidential Running Mate in 2004: Mohammad Yunos Moghol Second Vice-Presidential Running Mate in 2004: Dina Gol

Mangal finished 17th among the 18 individuals on the presidential ballot in October 2004, with under 12,000 votes. He is a former high-school teacher who studied zoology at Kabul University and received a master's degree in Moldova ("Kabul Weekly"). He also served on the editorial staffs of two mujahedin periodicals.     Mangal has suggested his tolerance for a continued international presence in Afghanistan, saying that "international forces, including the Americans, are needed for security." But at the same time, he also suggested that Hamid Karzai's Transitional Administration did too little to establish a national police force. He also blamed the central government and international forces for tolerating -- and even cooperating with -- the country's warlords. "The international community and government could get rid of them in few hours if they wanted," Mangal was quoted as saying ("Kabul Weekly").     Mangal has publicly shunned ethnic and regional divisiveness, suggesting that he has "relationships with every province and ethnic group" ("Kabul Weekly").     Mangal also repeatedly accused Karzai and the transitional government of abusing its position to further Karzai's political aspirations. 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.