British PM Gordon Brown’s Statement on the Afghan Election

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President Karzai has just made an important statement to the people of Afghanistan.

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It is vital that the new Afghan Government has legitimacy in the eyes of its people.

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I have consistently said that the election must be allowed to run its course and that all concerned should respect the process. There is no doubt that there have been flaws and we will need to apply the lessons of this process.

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President Karzai has today make clear that due constitutional process must be followed, and that if the formal certified results require it, then a second ballot will be held. Let me commend his statesmanlike statement – and the international community too will join me in welcoming the leadership he has shown today.

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I also congratulate President Karzai on the strong support he has secured from across his nation and from all ethnic groups. And I congratulate Dr Abdullah on achieving a high level of support.

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I would like to congratulate the Afghan people on the patience and resilience that they have shown throughout the long election process. The priority now is for all elements of Afghan society to come together to ensure that the democratic process continues as securely as possible.

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I assured President Karzai that he and his country would have the full support of Britain and the international community through this process. The international forces will work with the Afghan national security forces to give all Afghans the opportunity to vote in a second round if that is the next step.

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As I made clear last week, Britain remains committed to seeing its obligations through in Afghanistan. Our strategy depends on a strong Afghan Government showing the leadership required to gain the trust of its people. This election is the opportunity for them to choose that leadership.