Afghan President urges Iraqis to vote
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-25 01:53

KABUL, Afghanistan - President Hamid Karzai urged Iraqis on Monday to follow the example of Afghans and turn out for this weekend's landmark elections despite the threats of violence, saying their votes would help their country toward prosperity.

The U.S.-backed Afghan leader won Afghanistan's first-ever direct vote for president Oct. 9, almost three years after American forces ousted the Taliban for harboring Osama bin Laden. Remnants of the hardline militia failed to deliver on threats of major violence during the polls.

"The Iraqi people must not fear terrorists. Instead, they should make their elections a success with bravery and courage ... they must endeavor to ensure the rule of democracy and the right to elect their leader," Karzai said in a statement.

Iraqis have been urged to vote Sunday for a national assembly despite repeated deadly attacks on security forces, government officials and election workers and a vow by the al-Qaida affiliate in Iraq to wage all-out war on democracy.

"We showed through our votes that we now own a legitimate country which walks toward development and reconstruction," Karzai said. "Likewise, our Iraqi brothers and sisters should go to the ballot and play their role in determining their country's destiny."

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