Assassination of Haji Abdul Qadir

In the aftermath of the Emergency Loya Jirga, Mr. Qadir was a vice president of the Afghan Transitional Administration and a key leader in efforts to promote national reconciliation. His assassination was a brutal act of violence that should not be allowed to divert the government and people of Afghanistan from the path of reconstruction and progress on which it has embarked.

The United States condemns this crime in the strongest possible way. Mr. Qadir sought to achieve his goals through peaceful, democratic means and courageously stood up to extremists. We extend our condolences to Mr. Qadir’s family and to the Afghan people. We pledge our continued support to the reconstruction of a prosperous, peaceful and stable Afghanistan.