Kabul: Afghanistan's president shook hands and roused supporters during his first campaign rally in the capital, promising Friday to hold international troops more accountable for civilian casualties, house raids and arbitrary detentions.
Less than a month before Aug. 20 elections, President Hamid Karzai has done little public campaigning, since he is widely expected to win. He has sent representatives to most events and decided not to take part in a televised debate Thursday with his two closest competitors. The other two candidates went on with the debate next to his empty podium.
About 3,000 people - men wearing turbans and vests and some women in headscarves - crammed into an assembly tent in western Kabul to hear Karzai speak Friday.
The president said there had been many improvements in Afghanistan under his watch, noting that there are more roads, hospitals and schools than when he came to power eight years ago.
He said that if he is re-elected, he will revisit Afghanistan's agreement with international forces working to restore peace in the country to make sure they respect the rights of Afghan citizens.
Increasing civilian casualties plus house raids and detentions have caused too much friction between groups that are working toward a common goal, he said.
"I want to remove the fear between us and the international troops," he said. Karzai promised to review agreements with Nato and American forces to make sure that the government was in control.
Too often, he said, international troops make decisions without consulting the Afghan government.
"It should be clear who is the owner of the house and who is the guest," he said. The appeal prompted shouts and clapping throughout the crowd.
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