G8 Foreign Ministers’ statement on elections in Afghanistan

The G8 Foreign Ministers welcome the holding of the Presidential and Provincial Council elections in Afghanistan on 20 August 2009.  The Ministers salute the fact that the Afghan authorities have taken the lead in their organization and delivery and are particularly content with the level of political debate within Afghanistan that these elections have generated. 
 
We condemn the attempt by insurgent groups to intimidate voters and disrupt the elections. We commend the admirable courage and determination of the people of Afghanistan who ignored these threats and exercised their right to choose their national and provincial representatives. 
 
We commend all relevant actors, including the Afghan Government, the Independent Electoral Commission and the Afghan National Security Forces for their performance in enabling the vote to go ahead and responding swiftly to threats. We also offer our deepest condolences to those Afghans and international security forces who paid the ultimate price to defend the Afghan people.
 
We call on all parties to exert patience and restraint and to wait for the official announcement of the election results. We trust that all Afghans will continue to work together in the interest of their country.
 
The G8 will support the new President and Provincial Councils, once elected, in their efforts to deliver security, justice, good governance and economic opportunities for their people.