KABUL — Afghanistan's president reached out to his opponents Tuesday, saying that he will welcome opponents into his government and promising reforms to root out corruption that has undermined trust in his administration.
President Hamid Karzai spoke a day after he was declared victor of an election so marred by fraud that his opponent dropped out because he said a planned runoff vote could not be free and fair. Election officials proclaimed Karzai winner by default.
The Taliban claimed their own victory shortly before Karzai started speaking, saying that the canceled runoff election showed their efforts to derail the vote with threats and attacks were successful.
According to a statement posted on the Taliban Web site, "Our brave mujahedeen were able to disrupt the entire process" and the canceled vote showed that Afghans heeded their call not to participate in an election they said was the tool of foreigners.
Election officials had said that one reason they decided not to go through with a vote with a foregone conclusion was concern about security.
Karzai said he wants people from "all parts of the country" in his government, including political opponents and Taliban ready to work for the good of the country. Karzai's former challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, once served as Karzai's foreign minister but has said he will not join a Karzai administration now.
Even so, people close to the two men have said they spent the past few days negotiating privately about ministry seats or accommodating Abdullah's platform in some way. The U.S. and its allies have also pressured Karzai to institute reforms and to reach out to the Abdullah camp.
On Monday, President Barack Obama welcomed Karzai's election with as much admonishment as praise, telling America's partner in war that he expects a more serious effort to end corruption in his government and ready his nation to defend itself when international troops ultimately withdraw.
"Afghanistan has a bad name from corruption," Karzai said in his speech. "We will do our best through all possible means to eliminate this dark stain from clothes."
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