11 October 2004 -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is due to visit Afghanistan today for talks with Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai.
Schroeder, who yesterday visited neighboring Pakistan, said he was optimistic about the high voter participation and peaceful way Afghanistan's presidential election took place on 9 October.
Schroeder noted "some problems" in connection with allegations of vote fraud, but said he was confident the United Nations and international observers would investigate.
Germany is one of the largest contributors to the 9,000-strong NATO-led security force in Afghanistan.
The conduct of the Afghan election has also been praised by the United States, Pakistan, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.
(Reuters/AP/AFP)
index page