Karzai tells Taliban to vote in Afghan elections

By Hamid Shalizi

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai called on the Taliban and their allies on Saturday to vote in August's elections rather than attempt to disrupt the nation's second presidential poll.

The Aug. 20 vote is seen as a crucial moment for Karzai's government and for Washington, which is sending thousands of extra troops this year as part of President Barack Obama's new regional strategy to defeat al Qaeda and stabilise Afghanistan.

"I appeal to them (the Taliban) again and again to avoid any conflicts, not only during polling days but forever," Karzai told a news conference at his heavily guarded palace.

"Through elections we can bring peace and security, and through elections we can bring development," he said.

The Taliban, whose strict Islamist government was ousted after a U.S.-led invasion in 2001, have repeatedly rejected the election as a Western-inspired sham.

The Taliban have also rejected Karzai's calls for them to join the peace process, saying no talks can take place until all foreign troops have left the country.

Washington has already almost doubled the number of its troops from the 32,000 in the country in late 2008 in order to secure the elections and to combat a growing Taliban insurgency.

Karzai has ruled since the Taliban's ouster and won the nation's first direct vote for president in 2004.