H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, today thanked the Prime Minister and the people of Australia for the deployment of Australian troops to Afghanistan.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Howard, the President extended his gratitude to the Prime Minister and the people of Australia for deciding to deploy Australian troops to Afghanistan.

“The people of Afghanistan are eagerly looking forward to participating in our parliamentary elections in September, and establishing parliament as the third pillar of the Afghan State.”

“We greatly value the commitment of the Australian people who are offering to send their sons and daughters to Afghanistan. These service men and women will play an important role in ensuring security for our parliamentary elections and enabling Afghanistan to rebuild our lives after decades of war and destruction,” the President said in the letter.

H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, received a phone call yesterday afternoon from H.E. George W. Bush, President of the United States of America.

The two Presidents discussed matters of bilateral interest and exchanged views on a wide range of issues including; preparations for the September elections, the joint fight against terrorism and narcotics, Afghanistan’s relations with its neighbors and the reconstruction process.

President Bush assured President Karzai of the United State’s continued support and commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and also gave his reassurances that the International Community would continue to help Afghanistan particularly as Afghanistan moves forward holding parliamentary elections in September.

President Karzai thanked the people and the Government of the United States for its assistance to Afghanistan and reassured President Bush of Afghanistan’s continued role and commitment in the fight against terrorism and narcotics.

H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is deeply saddened by the news of at least 430 people who died in the monsoon rains in Mumbai (Bombay) and in the state of Maharashtra, India.

In his reaction to the news, the President said: “I am deeply saddened by this natural disaster, and I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims”.

H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, signed the Decree to establish the Counter Narcotics Tribunal yesterday, 25 July 2005.

The Counter Narcotics Tribunal Decree was proposed by HE Chief Justice Shinwari of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan. The Decree establishes special tribunals to try cases related to narcotics. It supports Article 7 of the Constitution, which bans the cultivation, production and trafficking of narcotics. The Decree came into force just after the President signed it.

On signing the Decree the President said: “this demonstrates the Government’s crucial proactive commitment to the fight against narcotics. It is a further step towards greater judicial reform”.

“This is a strong message to those involved in narcotics that the Government will crack down on the traffickers and all those that shame the name of the Afghan people” the President added.

H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is disturbed by the news of the series of bomb blasts which occurred in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt, killing at least 62 people and wounding scores more.

H.E Shaukat Aziz, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will arrive in Afghanistan for a one day official visit on Sunday, 24 th of July 2005.

H.E Shaukat Aziz will call on H.E Hamid Karzai, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and H.M Mohammad Zahir, Father of the Nation.

The Two sides, in addition to a review of the bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries, will hold discussions on a wide range of issues including trade and transit of commercial goods, private investments, regional economic and security cooperation, counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan warmly welcomes the visit of H.E Shaukat Aziz to Afghanistan which will further strengthen friendly relations and increase cooperation between the two countries in different fields, especially in counter-terrorism efforts.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan believes that strong friendly relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan is in the national interest of both countries and an essential component to promote stability in the region.

1. The Governments of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United Kingdom are committed to a secure, stable and democratic Afghanistan, playing its full part in the community of nations. Both Governments recognize that considerable and enduring support and commitment by the international community is required to assist the efforts being made by the people of Afghanistan to build their future.

H.E Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, strongly condemned killing of the head of the Scholars’ Council of Helmand Province by the enemies of Islam and people of Afghanistan.

Cleric Saleh Mohammad was attacked and martyred by the enemies of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, while leaving home for leading the Morning Prayer in Lashkargah Mosque.

Late Cleric Saleh Mohammad was one of the prominent scholars of Afghanistan who had spent so many years of his life in service to Islam and miserable people of Afghanistan.

At hearing the news H.E Hamid Karzai said: “I am profoundly saddened by the incident. Such attacks, targeting religious figures and Islamic Scholars, are carried out by the enemies of prosperity of Afghan people.”

H.E. Hamid Karzai extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Late Cleric Saleh Mohammad and instructed the relevant authorities to arrest the culprits and bring them to justice.

H.E Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is saddened by the news of train accident in Pakistan, killing and injuring hundred of people.

The accident happened early in the morning today near the town of Ghotki in Sindh Province, when three passenger trains collided and resulted in death of at least 120 and injured hundreds more.

In his reaction to the news, the president said, “I am deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. I, on behalf of the Afghan people, present my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims as well as people of Pakistan and wish prompt recovery to the injured.”

H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is saddened by and strongly condemns the killing of 10 Afghan Border Police in Helmand province today and the killing of cleric Agha Jan, the head of the Ulemes Council in Paktika province and his wife.

In his reaction to the news, the President said: "This is the work of the enemies of Afghanistan. I am deeply saddened by this incident, and I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims".

The President appreciates the contributions of the Afghan Border Police in providing security to the people of Afghanistan and deeply regrets such incidents targeting people dedicated to their country.

H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is disturbed by the news of the series of bomb blasts which occurred in London, UK today, killing at least 2 people and wounding dozens.