U.S. Embassy Reaffirms Neutrality on Afghan Elections
The 2009 presidential and provincial council elections are a key milestone in Afghanistan’s democracy. The United States is working to support credible, secure, and inclusive elections that reflect the will of the Afghan people.
The United States Embassy does not support or oppose any candidate in the upcoming elections in Afghanistan. Because we respect this process and are strictly neutral, at no time has any member of the United States Embassy encouraged any candidate to join or support another candidate, withdraw from the race or take any position in a future Afghan administration.
U.S. President Barack Obama’s position is clear: “Each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. The United States does not support or oppose any particular Presidential or Provincial Council candidate. Instead, we support the right of the people of Afghanistan to choose their own leaders.”