13:25
15.2.2014
Sherzai: Vote for a candidate, for a person, who will bring peace to Afghanistan.
13:28
15.2.2014
Wardak: I have dedicated all my life to secure our homeland. I have never left the people of Afghanistan alone. I have contributed in rebuilding the Afghan National Army. This is a historic opportunity for the Afghan people to choose the right leader.
13:29
15.2.2014
Key Quotes:
Sherzai
"If I become president, I would form an independent jirga (council) to continue peace talks, which has not happened before. We need a good mechanism for peace talks with Taliban in Afghanistan and to continue diplomatic efforts with Pakistan in this regard. I will talk to the Afghan Taliban inside Afghanistan, for example, in Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and other parts of the country. And I will talk to Pakistan in a friendly manner, keeping Afghanistan's interests in mind. I will bring peace, God willing."
Wardak
"[Contract-based] military service has a lot of advantages. It costs less. Afghanistan has never had such a professional military as it has today. The military has a cause to fight for, and I can prove that. If its shortcomings will be addressed, then it will be able to defend Afghanistan."
Hilal
"We need to have a jirga (council) of people who are not involved in the war and who can seriously move talks forward. We need to prevent corruption. Islamic law should be implemented. We need good governance. We need to have good intentions regarding peace talks so that people can believe in them. Peace talks should not be ruined by bringing up small issues. Even if our constitution is a hurdle, we should change it through the proper legal process."
Sultanzoi:
"Afghanistan was divided at the Bonn [Conference in 2001] among some groups like the spoils of war. And the jihad of Afghanistan and its people was taken hostage. We will create a vision in this country that will be innovative and an effective government with a clear vision. We are at the service of the people of Afghanistan, and we want to save them from the current situation and from those who have already served [in the government]."
Sherzai
"If I become president, I would form an independent jirga (council) to continue peace talks, which has not happened before. We need a good mechanism for peace talks with Taliban in Afghanistan and to continue diplomatic efforts with Pakistan in this regard. I will talk to the Afghan Taliban inside Afghanistan, for example, in Herat, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and other parts of the country. And I will talk to Pakistan in a friendly manner, keeping Afghanistan's interests in mind. I will bring peace, God willing."
Wardak
"[Contract-based] military service has a lot of advantages. It costs less. Afghanistan has never had such a professional military as it has today. The military has a cause to fight for, and I can prove that. If its shortcomings will be addressed, then it will be able to defend Afghanistan."
Hilal
"We need to have a jirga (council) of people who are not involved in the war and who can seriously move talks forward. We need to prevent corruption. Islamic law should be implemented. We need good governance. We need to have good intentions regarding peace talks so that people can believe in them. Peace talks should not be ruined by bringing up small issues. Even if our constitution is a hurdle, we should change it through the proper legal process."
Sultanzoi:
"Afghanistan was divided at the Bonn [Conference in 2001] among some groups like the spoils of war. And the jihad of Afghanistan and its people was taken hostage. We will create a vision in this country that will be innovative and an effective government with a clear vision. We are at the service of the people of Afghanistan, and we want to save them from the current situation and from those who have already served [in the government]."
14:00
15.2.2014
Women's Rights
Sultanzoi:
"I think that [violence against women] is a national shame and considering the progress we have made, this should not be allowed. If I get elected as president I will make sure the law is completely enforced. No negligence would be allowed. No one would be privileged when it comes to [punishing] human rights violations. The law would be enforced indiscriminately."
Hilal:
"[A woman] could be a good doctor, a good teacher, a good engineer, and could participate in politics. A woman can even be part of the cabinet according to her capacity and abilities. Women should have their rights in society but have to accept the limitations of the Islamic laws."