(27 Jul 2009) SHOTLIST
++QUALITY AS INCOMING++
1. Set-up of Afghan President Hamid Karzai sitting at desk
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
"When I say a new contract that is what I mean. A contract where Afghans feel safe and secure and have a hope for tomorrow and live within the dignity of their environment, respect to their culture, respect to their religion, but a partner in the struggle against terrorism."
3. Cutaway of Karzai
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
"The Afghan people want a strategic partnership with America. Though this is a partnership between a very poor man and a very rich man. But this is a partnership between a very poor, historical man, a man that has so much behind him in history and pride and a very rich new element. This partnership the Afghans want wholeheartedly and strongly and they want to continue into the future with this partnership."
5. Cutaway of Karzai
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
"(If) they (the Taliban) change that and if they don't adhere to that (violence) anymore and if they repent and regret and announce that publicly, then for the sake of peace, for the sake of return of complete peace to the country and a normal life, I'll be very much willing to do that, to talk to them."
7. Cutaway of Karzai
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
"I also know and the Afghan people also know that the presence of international troops in Afghanistan is bringing stability to Afghanistan and a good level of economic development to Afghanistan.
9. Cutaway
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
"I would advise the Taliban not to ask for the exit of international forces in Afghanistan, because that is not in the interest of the Afghan people. That is not in our national interest. In our national interest today, is the international community to stay in Afghanistan, to be with us for a long, long time. And within that for us to find a way forward.
11. Cutaway
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
"So I'll be sticking to having the international community in Afghanistan, but based on a new contract."
9. Cutaway of Karzai
STORYLINE:
President Hamid Karzai said on Monday he wants new rules governing the conduct of US-led forces in Afghanistan and would be willing to talk with Taliban leaders who publicly renounce violence and endorse peace.
But Karzai, acknowledging shaky relations with his international partners in the "war on terror", told The Associated Press in an interview that he was not prepared at this time to discuss the key Taliban demand - a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops.
Karzai said the presence of US and international forces was in the Afghan national interest but should be "based on a new contract" that would minimise civilian casualties, limit searches of private homes and restrict detaining Afghans indefinitely without charge.
He also said he wants the US-run prison at Bagram Air Base, where about 600 Afghans are held, re-evaluated and inmates released unless there is evidence linking them to extremist affiliation. He said arrests are turning ordinary Afghans against US and NATO forces.
Karzai has promised to pursue those demands for changes in the relationship with foreign forces if he wins a second term in the August 20 presidential election.
He is considered the leading contender in the 39-candidate field, though he would be forced into a runoff if he fails to win a majority of votes in the first round.
He said those Taliban members must first repent "and announce that publicly."
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