Talebans threaten Afghan run-off elections

As the campaign for the June 14 run-off presidential election in Afghanistan continues in full swing amidst sporadic violence, the Islamic militant Talebans have urged the voters to stay away from voting. They have threatened the voters of dire consequences if they go to the polling stations. Two candidates - Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani - are vying to become the successor to Hamid Karzai, the first elected president following the ouster of the Taleban government in 2001. Karzai has served two terms, maximum allowed by the constitution.
The first round of the polls on April 05 failed to produce a clear winner as none of the several candidates could secure more than 50 per cent of the votes. Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah got maximum votes followed by former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani. The failure to win the required percentage of votes has necessitated the run-off, which is being watched closely in Afghanistan and beyond as the new president of the war-torn nation will play a vital role in national and international arenas.
The Afghan scene is characterised by polls-related violence in one hand and perennial fighting involving the NATO and government troops with the Islamic militants, on the other. Earlier, the campaign for the polls had begun on a disconcerting note as two members of Abdullah's team were shot dead by the gunmen in the western Herat city, signalling mayhem in the run up to the elections.
Even though the United States and its other NATO allies are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of the current year, it appears that the war-ravaged country remains volatile raising doubts about the planned withdrawal of foreign troops by that time. Fighting between the Islamic militants, on one side and the NATO and Kabul government forces, on the other, continues to be a regular feature. Violence is only making things difficult for President Hamid Karzai who wants the foreign troops leave his country but is also wary about the security of the country after their departure. Details of the withdrawal of foreign troops have not been finalised as the Kabul authorities are at odds with the NATO on certain matters.
The United States, which has most troops in Afghanistan and whose stake in the country is very high, wants to sign a security pact with Kabul to facilitate the presence of a smaller number of American soldiers even after 2014. But Karzai is unwilling to sign such a pact despite pleas from US President Barrack Obama while both candidates in the run-off polls expressed their willingness to sign such a pact if elected.
The combatants of the warring factions in Afghanistan have no time for respite from fighting. In fact, the Islamic militants in one hand, and the Afghan government and NATO troops, on the other, are engaged in greater skirmishes these days as the seasonal handicaps and odds are no longer deterrent for them. Two sides, unwilling to bend, have stepped up activities in the battles as Obama has reiterated that American and other foreign forces are expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of this year barring a small number of soldiers to look after emergency conditions. The US has now 32,000 troops while they are planning to maintain about 9,000 soldiers after the current year.
The Islamic militants known as Talebans have of late widened their attack on what they say "occupation forces and their lackeys". The expressions are euphemism for the NATO forces and their ally Afghan government troops. While the war is often characterised by intense skirmishes, the militants have launched some daring attacks in recent times. They call it "fresh offensive" and are seeking to mount pressure on their opponents to quit Afghanistan. One of their leaders boasted that no foreign troops can stay in his country for too long for their own safety.
The NATO and the Afghan forces are taking no chances and are preparing for any situation particularly during the current season. "As the season changes, we have more fighting than other times" says an Afghan defence ministry spokesman. A military spokesman of the NATO also echoed the same views and says that several incidents indicate bigger confrontation among the contending parties.
 However, the NATO and Kabul government foresee quick fall in the intensity of the war in the coming days as they feel things are going in their ways. Well, it is a see-saw game and the success in the war front often swings the fortunes. Needless to say, the NATO is well-equipped and well-funded. But the militants feel that quitting Afghanistan is inevitable for the foreign forces.
The NATO, led by the world's only superpower United States, plans to  withdraw  their troops from Afghanistan by 2014 and the security of the country would be handed over to the Afghan government authorities. However, the nature of militant attacks raises a question whether cessation of the war would be possible by that time and if the Kabul government troops would be able to withstand the assaults of the militants. The NATO says it would be possible to quit the war-ravaged country by the timeframe set by them. However, the Americans say they would not fully abandon the Kabul government and would continue to assist it in many ways. The NAO members having troops in Afghanistan have varying views of the conflict and the presence of their respective troops.
Presidential hopeful Abdullah Abdullah said that a bilateral security agreement with the United States would allow 10,000 American troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014 and he feels that it is necessary for the country's security. His rival Ashraf Ghani also feels in the same way.
Another issue that is being hotly discussed in the country is the dialogue with the Talebans for a negotiated settlement of the long-drawn conflict. Some quarters are favouring the talks while other others oppose it. A recent swap of Taleban prisoners in exchange of an American prisoner of war long held by the militants signals that both sides could seek common ground for a broad settlement of the decade-long war. However, the swap has come in for severe criticisms, particularly in the US, as the opposition Republicans allege that the development has not taken place in conformity with American laws.  
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