Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, left for Switzerland this morning to attend the 36 th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum which will be held in Davos on 25 January 2006.

In his reaction to the news the President said, “Khan Abdul Wali Khan was a great political figure who formed the National Awami Party and the Awami National Party and demonstrated political courage and effectiveness in his leadership.”

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, left for Switzerland this morning to attend the 36 th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum which will be held in Davos on 25 January 2006.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan announced today that a blueprint for the future reconstruction of Afghanistan had been finalized. The Afghanistan Compact will be launched at a conference in London from January 31 to February 1.

The Afghanistan Compact will layout the framework for continued international engagement with Afghanistan over the next five years in three vital areas of activity; security, governance (including human rights and rule of law), social and economic development and the cross cutting theme of counter narcotics. An Interim Afghan National Development Strategy (IANDS) will also be presented in London to delegations from more than seventy countries and international institutions which will set clear economic and political priorities for the Government of Afghanistan as it works to improve the lives of millions of Afghans over the coming years.

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is saddened by the death of Ibrahim Rugova, President of Kosovo and, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan, expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his family and the people and Government of Kosovo.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, held a meeting with the governor of Kandahar, tribal elders, women and members of Kandahar’s provincial council through video conferencing to assess the security situation on the ground. The President expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack in Spinboldak, Kandahar province.

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, spoke on the phone this morning to H.E. Mahmoud Ahmadinezad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, regarding the delay in his trip to Iran.

During this telephone conversation, the President conveyed the best wishes of the people of Afghanistan to the people of Iran and his hopes for the trip to be rescheduled in the near future.

President Ahmadinezad also conveyed the best wishes of the people of Iran to the people of Afghanistan and wished the people of Afghanistan greater successes. The governments of both countries are working together to reschedule President Karzai’s trip to Iran on a mutually convenient date.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is saddened by the death of Sheikh Jaber, the Emir of Kuwait and, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan, expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the people and Government of Kuwait and Kuwait’s royal family.

The President mentioned about Sheikh Jaber’s assistance to the people of Afghanistan during the years of Jihad and called him a friend of the people of Afghanistan.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Arg, Presidential Palace, Kabul – H.E Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly condemns the killing of Mullah Mohammad Khaksar. Mullah Khaksar, who worked as Deputy Minister of Interior during Taliban regime was shot to death yesterday in Kandahar province.

President Karzai in his reaction to the incident said: “This action of the ousted Taliban’s seniors well explains their weakness, fear and is a clear indication of their hostility with the peace process.

Their purpose of disturbing the peace process is not only to shed the blood of innocent people but even their own former supporters, which is both against the sacred religion of Islam as well as humanity.”

The President urged the relevant authorities to investigate the crime and to bring the culprits to justice as soon as possible. The President also presents his heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives of Mullah Mohammad Khaksar

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, who is currently in Turkey on a state visit, strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Uruzgan province.

The enemies of peace carried out today’s attack in Tarin Kowt, the provincial capital of Uruzgan, killing at least ten Afghans, including two children, and wounding many more.

This attack occurred in the crowded livestock bazaar in Tarin Kowt at a time when people were buying their Eid needs which was aimed at killing the innocent people of Afghanistan.

In his reaction to the news the President said, “This attack is taking place at a time when we are holding talks with the Turkish authorities on deepening bilateral relations between Afghanistan and the Republic of Turkey. This evil act of terrorism is against Islam and humanity and can only arouse the Afghan people’s indignation.”

The President expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and ordered the relevant authorities to identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the PresidentIslamic Republic of Afghanistan

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is saddened by the death of Sheikh Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.

In his reaction to the news the President said, “I am deeply saddened by the death of Sheikh Maktoum and pray for his soul. I praise his strong personality and admire his invaluable services to the people of the United Arab Emirates.

The President, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan, expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Sheikh Maktoum’s family and the people of the United Arab Emirates.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the PresidentIslamic Republic of Afghanistan

Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, left for Turkey on a state visit this afternoon.

During this visit, the President will hold meetings with H.E. Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Abdullah Gul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and H.E. Hilmi Ozkok, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces.

In meetings with Turkish authorities, the President will discuss bilateral relations, Turkey’s further assistance to rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan and Turkey’s continued contribution to the security of Afghanistan.

The President will also hold meetings with Turkish entrepreneurs and representatives of the Turkish Business Council and construction companies to encourage their greater participation in construction activities in Afghanistan, including building roads. The President will also address students at Baskent University in Ankara on the positive developments and changes in Afghanistan.

The President is accompanied on this trip by H.E. Dr. Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Zalmai Rasol, National Security Advisor, H.E. Dr. Anwarul Haq Ahadi, Minister of Finance, H.E. Dr. Sayed Makhdom Raheen, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Amin Fatemi, Minister of Health, H.E. Noor Muhammad Qarqin, Minister of Education, H.E. Dr. Masouda Jalal, Minister of Women’s Affairs, H.E. Dr. Sayed Amir Shah Hassanyar, Minister Higher Education and H.E. Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Senior Advisor to the President on International Affairs, H.E. Jawed Ludin, Chief of Staff to the President.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the PresidentIslamic Republic of Afghanistan