Karzai warns warlords to remove check posts

Islamabad, Feb 11, IRNA -- Afghanistan's interim leader, Hamid Karzai Sunday warned warlords to remove within few days their check post and chains on roads otherwise they will face strict action.

"I am giving them few days to remove their check posts and chains erected to extort money from the people. We will use force if the warlords did not dismantle check posts," Karzai told the BBC Pashto service from Kabul.

"They are law breakers. They are murderers. They are cruel men," the Afghan interim leader said.

These check posts are creating law and order problem as well as blocking economic activities. "We are determined to dismantle all check posts. We will confront with all such elements," Karzai said.

Replying to a question about differences in several provinces, he said he has held talks with delegations representing two commanders from Paktia province to settle disputes over the appointment of governor.

He said important decisions have been taken to resolve the problem in Paktia which will be announced in the couple of days.

More than fifty people have been killed in Paktia in clashes between Badshah Khan, Karzai's nominee for governorship, and local Pashtoon commander Saifullah.

"I was really shocked over casualties in Paktia. They were Afghans and were killed for nothing," Karzai said. He said the world community is looking towards Afghanistan in the post-Taliban era and the people of Afghanistan should not disappoint them.

He described as minor differences between the governors of Herat and Helmand and said he has recently held constructive talks with governor Ismail Khan of Herat.

He also invited delegates from Khost and Paktika provinces, who have also developed differences over the appointment of governors.

About his visit to United Arab Emirate, he said the UAE leadership has invited him to announce additional aid for the war-shattered Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's interim leader, Hamid Karzai, has embarked on one-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.

It completes what is believed to be a diplomatic fence-mending mission to the three countries that recognized the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan prior to the attacks of the eleventh of September.