UN Chief Calls 2009 a Critical Year for Afghanistan

(14 Mar 09 - RV) The UN chief yesterday said security in Afghanistan has deteriorated and may worsen this year in the face of a renewed Taliban insurgency. In his latest report to the Security Council on U.N. activities in Afghanistan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that 2009 would be a critical year. He also said the Afghan government needs to conduct credible elections to re-legitimize its authority, and it must ensure that the constitution is followed.
Sumit Bisarya, Afghanistan program coordinator for the International Development Law Organization, has just returned from the country. He says that most Afghans are tired of war, but that it will take time for the country to build a just system of government…